Sixth Aussie Winner for Catcher in the Rye

19th May 2008

Catcher in the Rye posted his sixth individual Australian first crop winner when appropriately named gelding The Bargain (2g Catcher in the Rye x Love Me Sweet, by Daybreak Lover) won the Woodlands Star Kingdom Plate at Muswellbrook on Monday.

Sent out at any old price, The Bargain came with a sweeping finish to score by more than a length after jumping from barrier 12.

A $5,000 purchase for trainer Todd Howlett from the 2007 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, The Bargain was bred and offered for sale by John and Fran Ovenstone of Little Wych.

He is the fifth foal of the Daybreak Lover mare Love Me Sweet, a half-sister to stakes-winners Rock a Hula and Sweet Consort.

Catcher in the Rye has been the quiet achiever in the first season sire division in Australia with six winners including the stakes-winner Rhyno Chaser from just 11 starters.

A Group One placed son of Danehill, Catcher in the Rye covered two smallish books of mares at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $5,500 resulting in 132 live foals all up and is still on the Irish roster at a fee of 4,000 euros.