WINTER CUP FOR THE AGES
Saturday night’s Listed Winter Cup Final promises to be a tremendous contest
with one of Australia’s hottest chasers Catch The Thief taking on WA’s best
including Tommy Shelby, Cindy’s Oliver and Sir Monty.
Victorian speedster Catch The Thief has made an almighty splash since
arriving in WA winning all four starts including the Group 2 Brittons Formal
Wear WA Derby final where he ran the second fastest time ever recorded over
520 metres at Cannington, 29.32 seconds.
On Saturday night the Matthew Clark trained chaser has drawn box three, the
same box he came from when winning the WA Derby.
Catch The Thief was again impressive when winning his Winter Cup heat last
week running a Best Of Night time of 29.56 seconds when defeating Joker
Poker by 7.5 lengths.
Speaking on The Sports Daily on TAB Radio on Thursday Matthew Clark was
happy with the way the race looked for Catch The Thief on paper.
“In honesty I would like to have my dog drawn a bit wider on the track but
with a couple of dogs who like the rails drawn inside him and not a lot of
early pace in the boxes directly outside he should get room to wind up.”
Clark said.
When questioned on who was toughest to beat Clark was quick to identify his
major threat.
“They are all good dogs to make a final like this but I have enormous
respect for Tommy Shelby – he is a Star and if we have any bad luck he will
be right there to pounce.” Clark said.
In relation to how his dog was heading in Clark was again full of praise for
Caretaker Trainers Steve and Krystal Shinners and where they had him heading
in to his second feature final in WA.
“Steve has been a great friend for a really long time and the job he has
done with Catch The Thief is phenomenal. Everything has gone to plan again
this week and he should be cherry ripe for the run on Saturday.” Clark said.
Win, lose or draw on Saturday you get the sense it may not be the last we
see of Catch The Thief in WA after Saturday’s run.
“The entire experience we have had sending Catch The Thief to WA has been
superb. I will not hesitate to send him or any other suitable dogs to WA for
feature races heading forward.” Clark concluded.
The other Winter Cup heat winner last week was Tommy Shelby who brought up
his 11th Cannington victory from just 13 attempts when holding on to defeat
Cindy’s Oliver by a narrow margin in 30.03 seconds.
Tommy Shelby was particularly brave overcoming numerous heavy checks in the
early stages of his heat before gripping on late.
Trainer Steve Withers is a lot happier with the box draw in two than what he
was with the awkward draw last week.
“We knew it was going to be a challenge last week being drawn wide outside
the slick beginner Mermaid Monelli so to see him find a way to win was very
pleasing.” Withers said.
“The box draw looks a lot more suitable this time around – he should get the
room required to push through in to a nice spot early on in the race.”
Withers added.
“While the draw is ideal we face the challenge of running in to one of the
most talented dogs in Australia in Catch The Thief.” Withers suggested.
“We fully respect Catch The Thief – he is a wonderful talent and the
opportunity to race against a dog of his calibre is really exciting.”
Withers said.
“You want to test yourself against the best and we are very lucky to have a
shot at it on Saturday night.” Withers concluded.
The main event on the card takes place on Saturday night at 8.08pm WST.
The TABtouch market has seen Catch The Thief heavily commissioned firming
from $1.85 in to $1.60 while Tommy Shelby has drifted from $2.60 out to
$3.90.
Outside of the favoured duo Sir Monty has been $6.50 in to $6, Joker Poker
has firmed from $23 in to $14, Cindy’s Oliver is $13 in to $8, Kiss Me
Linda is $26 out to $71, Sunset Milo $26 out to $41 and Grace Ali is $41 out
to $81.
David Shortte