Catapulted Has Christmas Credentials

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 13:59

Mark Kavanagh has enjoyed his fair share of success over the spring carnival and that appears to have continued into the warmer months of the year after Catapulted enhanced his reputation with a dominant victory in the $70,000 Listed City Of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Starting from the outside alley in the 17-horse field, Catapulted flew the gates and jockey Simon Price was able to expertly steer the four-year-old into the ‘one-one' before displaying a superior turn of foot in the straight to obliterate his rivals.

Catapulted ($3.60 fav) defeated Blahnik ($7) by three and a half lengths with Oakleigh Plate placegetter Tramuntana ($7) and Verco Road ($11) putting in eye-catching runs behind the winner in third and fourth respectively.

The son of Catbird has won his last for starts and will look to add to his tally in the $70,000 Listed Christmas Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on Boxing Day.

"You can never expect it to be easy from that sort of draw and in this better company, but he did win well so he'll be given another opportunity at that level," Kavanagh told the Adelaide Advertiser.

Meanwhile, Flying Merkel won his second metropolitan race in three starts after winning the $26,500 Boxing Day at Allan Scott Park Morphettville December 26 Handicap (1000m).

Trained by Scott Trenowden, who has less then six horses in work, Flying Merkel settled off the speed in a similar vein to Catapulted, only to peel a couple of horses away from the rails and dash clear to put the race beyond doubt.

The lightly raced five-year-old gelding is owned by Ceduna-based trainer Trevor Trenowden and former Virtual Formguide journalist, now Magic Millions media manager Greg Irvine as well as close friend, Kerry Gum.

Flying Merkel will now be sent for a spell with the aim of chasing further riches over the autumn carnival in his home state.

Pictures - Jenny Barnes