The Potala Pace colt Katak will attempt to keep his unbeaten record intact at Kenilworth today, and in doing so, become only the third horse in history to win the third leg of the Winter Series.
He lines up in the Gr3 Pocket Power Stakes over 2400m, named for first horse to win all three legs of the Winter Series. It would a special moment for the connections as he runs in Marsh Shirtliff’s colours, the same carried by Pocket Power.
Katak in action (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Tabnews reports that the only concern for trainer Piet Steyn is whether this son of Potala Palace will see out the distance. When he won the second leg over 1800m, he took a while to get to Super Silvano but in the end the 0.75 lengths is little indication of the ease of the win. He was going away from the field and looked to have plenty more in the tank.
He also had a minor setback to his preparation for that race but still proved too good for his opposition. It is often the case with three-year-olds they don’t have to stay to win a 2400m against their own age group as many of their lesser rivals don’t see out the distance either.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe will get aboard for the first time and he was the man who rode Pocket Power to victory in the Winter Series.
Super Silvano is the only runner who got close to Katak last time so if there is a danger, it would have to be Brett Crawford’s runner.
There are a number of feature races on the card including two other Grade 3 events for fillies and mares – the Final Fling Stakes over 1800m and the Robin And Lilian Brand Champagne Stakes over 1200m.
The latter is of particular interest as Alan Greeff has brought talented but problematic World Radar from Port Elizabeth. She is the best weighted runner and renews her relationship with jockey Greg Cheyne who has ridden her five times for three victories.
The Final Fling Stakes is very open and one needs to load the Exotics, but there could be some value in the Justin Snaith-trained Duchess Of Bourbon with Robert Khathi up.
Please note the revised racetimes for today.
