Catoggio Off the Mark

Mark Smith - Thursday September 26

Fourth on debut behind Dublin Down in the Group III Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington last November, Catoggio was far from disgraced in three winless starts in Sydney in the autumn before a return down south saw the 3-year-old Written Tycoon gelding open his winning account in the Viatek Fujifilm Maiden Plate (1147m) at Geelong.

Catoggio puts a space on them (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jye McNeil for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the confidently supported favourite led at every call to defeat the Exceed And Excel filly Cora Lynn by two and a quarter lengths with the Yes Yes Yes gelding Sociable back in third.

Catoggio returned a gelding after a 23-week break.

Advertisement

“He is a brilliant beginner and really anticipates the start, rocking in the stalls ready to go,” McNeil said.

“He put himself into a controlling position. He went at a nice gallop from the 600m and was strong through the line.

“I’ve been on him in trackwork but not jumpouts or racing. It was good to team up with him today. He enjoyed a bit of give in the ground, and I’m sure he is in the right stable to reach his full potential.”

 A half-brother to Listed BRC Phelan Stakes winner Palazzo Spirit, Catoggio was a $460,000 purchase for Rosemont Alliance/Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, the son of Written Tycoon, is the second winner from three to race for the crack racemare Palazzo Pubblico.

The daughter of Conatus won seven races highlighted by the Listed BRC Bright Shadow Hcp and Listed MRC Alinghi Stakes while banking $413,615.

China Horse Club/Newgate/Go Bloodstock/Trilogy shelled out $750,000 for Conatus’ I Am Invincible colt at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Named Portofino, he is in training with Chris Waller.

Palazzo Pubblico was covered by So You Think last year after missing in 2022.

Advertisment

Race Result - Viatek FujiFilm Mdn Plate 1147m

Geelong Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:07.27
1
Catoggio
- 3g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Palazzo Pubblico (AUS) (Conatus (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jye McNeil 58
2
2.3
Cora Lynn
- 3f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Kooweerup (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Damian Lane 56
3
2.7
Sociable
- 3g Yes Yes Yes (AUS) x Workdrinks (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 58
4
6.5
Vierville
- 3g Omaha Beach (USA) x Meadow Sprite (AUS) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: M J Ellerton Rdr: W Egan 58
5
6.8
Give Faith
- 3f Alabama Express (AUS) x Faith's Encore (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: John McArdle Rdr: J Mott 56
6
7.8
Wainman
- 3g Rubick (AUS) x Concisely (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
7
9
Shackamaxon
- 3f Cable Bay (IRE) x Gioe (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: Liam Riordan 56
8
13.3
Better Shape Up
- 3g Toronado (IRE) x I Am (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: M J Dee 58
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
There was only one heat for juveniles at Randwick on Friday morning and the powerful Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable produced the trifecta with Written Tycoon colt Catoggio taking the win in the Rosemont alliance colours.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 24
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Southern Hemisphere foals for Paddington
A four-time Group I winner by champion French sire Siyouni, European superstar, PADDINGTON, has had his first Southern Hemisphere foals arrive on the ground at Windsor Park.
Narrow Miss for Hellbent Gelding in G2 Foxbridge
Lhasa proved he is more than a synthetic track specialist when he nearly caused an upset when finishing runner-up in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Was it that Unusual? Who is the Oldest?
There was a lot of attention in the media regarding the age of Australian Horse of the Year elect Via Sistina (IRE) when she returned to racing for a new campaign at Randwick last Saturday, but was it really that uncommon to see an eight year-old G1 winner?
Commemorative Retired to Stud
Watching the progress of Godolphin horses as they start stepping our for their new trainers has been interesting to say the least and will get more so this weekend when we see Tom Kitten go around in the Group I MRC Memsie Stakes at Caulfield, but one horse we won’t be seeing again is Commemorative.
Spring Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
There was an interesting set of trials at Hawkesbury on Monday that featured heat winners including Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as well as the Waterhouse Bott stable Cups contenders Sir Delius (GB) and Vauban (FR), plus we may have seen an Everest horse.
Merchant Navy 3YO Primed for Spring Stakes Campaign
Cody Cole is happy to play a waiting game with Landlock before confirming the three-year-old’s main goals for the season.
Top Filly Beats Top Colt in G1 Prix Morny
The Group I Prix Morny (1200m) at Deauville overnight produced a mightly clash between unbeaten Starspangled banner colt Gstaad and unbeaten filly Venetian Sun with the filly prevailing, although Starspangledbanner got some consolation with a new G3 winning 2YO at Goodwood.