Katana Outclasses Opposition In Breeders ' Stakes
17 February 2003
The Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott trained filly took the step up to stakes company with consummate ease, holding on resolutely after being challenged by Tracktalk (Armidale x Mountain Jewel) in the home straight to score by � of a length. The consistent Purrfection (Tale of the Cat x Nothing Less) finished a further � of a length back in third place.
The impressive daughter of Volksraad, as a Mercedes Super Bonus Series enrolled horse, also claimed the $25,000 Mercedes Jackpot Bonus, taking her winnings from the race to a healthy $68,000. The Jackpot Bonus was Katana's second Mercedes Bonus win, after picking up a $10,000 Mercedes Super Bonus at Avondale on the 27th of January.
Katana was purchased by Paul Moroney at the 2002 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Fillies Sale for $52,500 from the draft of Haunui Farm. The talented filly is raced by Alan and Christine Abel. The Abel's have previously enjoyed Group success with the 2YO Group 1 winner Kapiston and the Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed Galroof, both trained by Mike Moroney and Andrew Scott.
As Katana is prone to shin soreness she will bypass the Group 1 Ford Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes on March 1 and instead head towards a start in the Group 1 Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on April 5.
The next race in the Mercedes Super Bonus Series is at Waikato on February 26, where a $10,000 Mercedes Super Bonus will be up for grabs.
To be in with a chance to share in the prizepool of approximately $1.4 million for the 2003/2004 season, yearlings purchased at the recent National Yearling Sales Series must be enrolled in the Mercedes Super Bonus Series by no later than March 6.
For more information on the Mercedes Super Bonus Series and enrollment forms please contact Guy Mulcaster at New Zealand Bloodstock on (09) 298 0055 or email [email protected].