Santa Catarina (outside with the yellow and purple striped cap). Photo – Trish Dunell.
Cambridge-trainer Stephen Marsh has held onto the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1100m) four years in a row after Santa Catarina was victorious in the event last Saturday at Te Rapa.
Marsh’s previous winners are No More Tears, Group One 2000 Guineas winner Ugo Foscolo and the now Australian-trained Ardrossan.
“It’s a race we have targeted, and I thought we were in with a right royal chance again,” Marsh said.
Santa Catarina and Jockey Danielle Johnson sat mid-field and powered home down the straight to take the win from Cavallo Veloce.
“They went a really good clip and that probably set it up for us,” Johnson said. “I wanted to be in behind the speed and she showed great acceleration.”
Santa Catarina won her previous start when talent and determination was enough to beat the odds on the heavily water-logged track at Matamata.
“At her last start on a heavy track it was her class that prevailed,” Johnson said.
Santa Catarina is owned by Lib Petagna under JML Bloodstock and managed by Bruce Perry.
