Katsu's career debut at Geelong in March proved to be a complete train wreck, but a gelding operation, the addition of earmuffs and a cross-over nose band did the trick for the talented son of Mikki Isle (JPN) at Sale on Sunday.
Ridden by Jordon Childs for Grahame Begg, Katso had few favours in the run. He was obliged to race four-wide the trip and was pushed even wider on the turn.
He found a willing opponent in the rallying Written Tycoon debutant Ladi Di Di, doing just enough to open his account by a short-head.
The Overshare debutant The Brill Building was a length and a half back in third, edging out the fast-finishing Divine Prophet gelding Think I'm Divine.
A standout in the paddock, Katsu is highly regarded by the stable and has plenty more to offer, according to stable representative Rohan Hughes.
"It didn't work out great in the run, being pushed wide on the turn, but Jordan didn't panic, kept him balanced, and showed a good foot turn in the straight," Hughes said.
"Once he got there, he didn't know much about it, but with more racing, he will get there eventually.
"He is a beautiful horse with a nice future."
Bred by and offered for sale by Arrowfield Stud to the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Katsu made $170,000 to the bid of his trainer.
That was the highest price paid for a yearling in the second crop of Arrowfield's three-season shuttler Mikki Isle (JPN).
He is the second runner and first winner for the Not A Single Doubt mare Zing And Swing. Her first foal, the Chris Waller-trained Rura Penthe (Maurice), finished second at his only start to date over 1400m at Sale on May 25.
Zing And Swing is a three-quarter sister to Group III ATC Triscay Stakes winner Zestful (Redoute's Choice) and a half to stakes-placed Zedazest (Fuji Kiseki) and the dam of Group II Reisling Slipper and Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Military Rose, from the famed family of Zeditave.
Zing And Swing has a yearling colt by Castelvecchio.
