Catalan Bay Has Oaks Potential
15th August 2007
Classy filly Catalan Bay (3f Rock of Gibraltar - Kim Angel, by Serheed) resumed with a stylish win at Sandown on Wednesday in the restricted event for fillies over 1200 metres.
The Lee Freedman trained three year-old jumped well and sat just outside the leader before kicking away in the straight to win by the best part of two lengths, with high priced filly Patasi (3f Danehill Dancer - Procrastinate, by Jade Hunter) rattling home well for second after getting too far back in the run.
“She surprised us a bit being up there near the lead, but she jumped so well and then traveled easily. She got a little tired near the post, but we expected that as she is not fully wound up,” said Michael Freedman.
“She’s a filly we’ve liked all along and hopefully she can keep improving as the races get longer and develop into an Oaks filly.”
Catalan Bay (pictured as a yearling) has now won two of three starts and is entered for all of the major fillies events this spring.
A $360,000 purchase for BBA Ireland from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Catalan Bay races in the familiar blue and pink colours of Keith Biggs, who shares ownership with eight other parties.
She is the first living foal of former outstanding West Australian mare Kim Angel, who also enjoyed significant success on the racetrack in Singapore. The daughter of Serheed won 14 races and $1.5 million in prizemoney with career highlights in the Group One WATC Derby and Singapore Gold Cup.
Kim Angel has had little luck at stud with Catalan Bay her only living foal to date, although she was covered by Encosta de Lago last spring and is believed to be in foal.
The runner-up in this race Patasi was sent out hot favourite, but the daughter of Danehill Dancer lost no caste with her effort, which was good after being tardily away and unsuited by the slow tempo.
A $1.6 million Easter purchase, the David Hayes trained Patasi is sure to cast off maiden status sooner rather than later.
Rock of Gibraltar later added another winner at Gawler in the David Hayes trained gelding Rockbank (3g Rock of Gibraltar - Lake Alexandrina, by Bluebird) , who saluted in the 1400 metre maiden at his fifth race start.
A $170,000 purchase from the draft of Curraghmore Stud at the 2006 NZB Premier Yearling Sale for renowned syndicator Harry Lawton, Rockbank is from stakes-placed Lake Alexandrina, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Marauding.
Rock of Gibraltar has started the Australian season in rare form posting five quick winners since the start of the month.
