Fitness tells for Crown Witness in 2017 Quezette Stakes

Darryl Sherer - Saturday August 19

Residual fitness played a major part in Crown Witness holding out Catchy at the finish of Saturday's Group III Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

Advertisement
Crown Witness made fitness tell in the Quezette Stakes. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The Blue Diamond Stakes winner was racing first-up since finishing last in the Golden Slipper Stakes in April while Crown Witness had won both her starts this preparation, defeating Lindsay Park Racing-trained fillies both times.

Trainer Stuart Webb could see the funny side after Crown Witness ($6 - $3.80) raced in second place under Ben Melham to the home turn and then held off the late challenge of Catchy ($2.30 fav) by a head with Ploverset ($13) a further 2 1/4-lengths away third.

"I think David Hayes will be sick of the sight of her - her three wins have all been over fillies of his," Webb said.

"I thought she did a fantastic job to stick her head out and beat a quality filly like Catchy.

"I thought Catchy had us cold in the straight but she's a tenacious filly and it's a big thrill to win a race like this."

Webb said he is undecided whether to push on into the spring with the daughter of Star Witness.

"I'm not sure where we'll go, I'm mindful she's in her first preparation and she's one we've had to back off a few times and then start again," Webb said.

"We'll see how she is this week and then we'll take it from there.

"She's got a brain and is nice and relaxed so she might get to 1400m but I do think we've got a filly that will be better in the autumn - she's just a really good filly."

Melham said the race went according to plan.

"She had an easy run on the speed and she did a real good job, she was real game to the line," Melham said.

"At this distance today and with one to chase she settled nice but I'll leave it to the experts to decide if she'll stretch out over further."

David Hayes was far from disappointed with the effort of Catchy.

"She is still a bit wintery and has a fair bit of improvement in her," Hayes said.

"The winner is obviously a smart filly but I thought Catchy and Ploverset both ran very well and will improve."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Al Riffa Aiming Towards Melbourne Cup for Australian Bloodstock
The exceptional qualities of Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) are such that he can get fast juveniles and also high class older horses over a distance and we are set to see a taste of it this spring as media reports suggest Australian Bloodstock have purchased his top class 5YO stallion Al Riffa.
Last to First – He’s Seriously Hot!
Sent to the paddock after just one placing from five starts at two that included three attempts in stakes company, Siriusly Hot returned a gelding at Randwick and it certainly made a difference!
Too Darn Hot nomination realises $255,000 in August (Late) Sale
A nomination in exceptional young stallion Too Darn Hot has topped today’s Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale, selling for $255,000.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 27
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing More Stakes Success
Hello Youmzain (Fr) filly Platinum Diamond will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).
Wootton Bassett Colt Salutes at Sandown
Overdue for a win, talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Yamashita’s Gold shook off maiden status with a determined victory at Sandown on Wednesday for the Gavid Bedggood stable.
Black Type Potential for Zoustar Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy have  plans to tackle Black Type races with promising Zoustar colt Prestar, who scored his second win from just five starts at Randwick on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.