Fitness key to Catkins's Group One chance

Sunday 1 March 2015, 4:45pm

Catkins' main opposition in her bid for a first Group One success could come from a source close to home.

The mare's trainer Chris Waller will also nominate 2013 Australian Oaks winner Royal Descent and dual Doncaster Mile winner Sacred Falls for Saturday's Canterbury Classic (1300m) at Randwick.

Catkins has has the benefit of two Group Two wins from two starts this preparation and Waller says that will play in her favour.

"She obviously has the fitness edge over the other two," Waller said.

"But she hasn't yet got to the level the other two have.

"I'm hoping she can repeat what Appearance did last year."

Sacred Falls finished fourth behind Appearance in the Canterbury Classic when he began his Doncaster campaign a year ago.

He will begin a new career in the spring at Waikato Stud where he will fill the void left by his sire O'Reilly who died late last year.

Sacred Falls is the Doncaster Mile topweight and has had two trials to get ready for the start of his campaign.

Royal Descent, a close second to Sacred Falls in both the Doncaster and the George Main, was given a hit-out with Cox Plate winner Adelaide between races at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

She shaded her new stablemate in the gallop, pleasing Waller with her performance.

"She is very forward and ready to go to the races in a week," he said.

Catkins has been placed three times at Group One level, twice in the Myer Classic and again in the 2014 Coolmore.

Another tilt at the Coolmore Classic is unlikely with Waller believing it took too much out of her last year.

"She will get a big weight and I think we broke her heart in that race last year," Waller said.

"We'll just take it one race at a time with her."

Three-year-olds First Seal and Hallowed Crown share the top of Doncaster betting at $8 with Japanese visitor World Ace.

Sacred Falls is at $15 with the TAB.

– AAP

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