Genuine staying mare Kattegat will continue her travels following a strong performance to win over 2200 metres at Ellerslie.
The Gerry Harvey-bred and Westbury Stud sold daughter of farm resident Redwood was sent north on Saturday to boost her chances of a start in a southern distance feature and it was mission accomplished for Awapuni trainers Shaun Fannin and Hazel Schofer.
“We came her to try and win to get into the New Zealand Cup (G3, 3200m) and that’s where we’ll go now,” Schofer said.
Kattegat’s performance has seen her odds in the Riccarton event cut from $18 to $10.
“This was her first trip away and she’s handled it, so all the signs are positive,” Schofer said.
“She really knuckled down to win and she will get better the further she goes.”
Placed in both of her previous starts this preparation, Kattegat was quickly into stride from the outside barrier to race on the ace and she finished resolutely for the third win of her 13-start career.
“It was a great effort to back up from Otaki and we got into a good spot. The 2200 metres was no problem, I had a bit of trouble pulling her up,” winning rider Craig Grylls said.
The well-related Kattegat, a $6000 Karaka buy for bloodstock agent Paul Willetts, is a half-sister to the multiple Hong Kong Group 2 winner Lucky Patch (El Roca) with their dam the Danehill Dancer mare Gould.
She is from the up front family of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Khaptingly, whose dam Khaptivaan was successful in the G2 Surround Stakes.
Gould has an unraced El Roca three-year-old filly named Bella Ferrari, a yearling colt by the son of Fastnet Rock and is due to foal again to the Westbury sire.
Meanwhile, Redwood’s associate sire Reliable Man was on the board early at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday with Casanova Man claiming the opening event.
Also bred by Harvey, the Darryl Ward-trained gelding won for the second time in three starts when he was successful over 2200 metres in the hands of apprentice Rob Thorburn.
Casanova Man is out of the Postponed mare Casa Blanca who is a half-sister to the G1 Australian Oaks winner Sofia Rosa.
The unraced Casa Blanca produced a colt by Swiss Ace last season and is due to foal to El Roca.