Anticipation is building around One Bold Cat as the talented five-year-old gears up for the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham this Saturday.
Trainer Robbie Patterson, based in New Plymouth, believes that One Bold Cat has progressed significantly since his resuming run at Te Rapa over 1400m.
Patterson remarked, “He has definitely come on, and it was obviously a distance short of his best.”
Despite being unplaced in that race, One Bold Cat showcased his late speed, running the quickest last couple of 100 metres.
Patterson, expressing confidence in his laid-back yet talented charge, stated, “It should be onwards and upwards with him. He’s quite a laid-back horse and has got plenty of ability.”
The performance in the Thompson Handicap will play a pivotal role in deciding whether One Bold Cat will venture south for the Group 3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m).
Stablemate Times Up, following a runner-up finish in an open 1000m trial at Foxton, is set to return to action.
Patterson believes Times Up, who showed promise in his last campaign, is “a really good type” and has a reasonable chance in the upcoming race.
Patterson will also be represented by Margherita Veloce and Winkle Bay at Trentham, noting that they may need the runs to hit their stride.
The trainer’s focus will be divided between Trentham and Te Rapa, where major cups’ prospects Za’faran and Another Bella are in contention.
Za’faran, targeting the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m), aims to bounce back after a sixth-place finish in the Hawera Cup (2100m).
Patterson indicated, “Saturday will tell us whether we go south for the New Zealand Cup.” Another Bella, a promising middle-distance mare, is gearing up for the Waikato Cup (Group 3, 2400m).
At Trentham, stablemates Puntura and Mary Louise will face off, with Puntura being considered the stable’s best winning chance.
Patterson expressed confidence, stating, “I would be disappointed if they both didn’t run very well,” and highlighted the addition of blinkers to Mary Louise for the upcoming race.
More horse racing news
