One to Watch – Wyong

Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith enjoyed a lot of success with speedy stakes-winner Combat Kitty, so it was no surprise when he produced her first winner with a smart victory at Wyong on Sunday for her three year-old colt by Stratum.

Catmosphere was second and fifth in his first two starts on heavy tracks back in March in handy races won by Condor Heroes and Astoria.

Resuming from a spell in the 1000 metre maiden, he led throughout and scored by three quarters of a length.

A $140,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Widden Stud draft for his trainer, Catmosphere runs for a big syndicate that also includes Widden Stud, who co-bred him.

A stunning looking chestnut, he is the first foal of stakes-winning General Nediym mare Combat Kitty, whose two year-old filly by Zoustar made $550,000 for Widden Stud at the Magic Millions earlier this year.

A half-sister to Northern Meteor stakes-winner Mitraad, Combat Kitty has a yearling colt by Deep Field and was covered again last spring by Zoustar.

Sadly for Widden Stud, Catmosphere’s sire Stratum is no longer with us, but ready to take his place this spring at Widden is his dual Group I winning son Stratum Star, who is priced affordably at $11,000.