4 Win Saturday - Can't Catch Her

The third of four Saturday winners, saw Te Akau trainers Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson record their third win on the programme, when Can’t Kach Me (5 m Tavistock – Kachina, by Zabeel) stylishly won fresh-up in the $40,000 Pryde’s Easifeed Rating 65 1600 metres on Saturday at Riccarton. 

Deserving of victory when streaking away by three and a half lengths in the Maiden 2200 metres on 4 April at Ashburton, Can’t Kach Me trialled fine over a sprint trip on 8 October at Matamata, and appreciated the mile first-up.

Ridden by Wiremu Pinn, who scored earlier aboard stable-mate Malmaison, Can’t Kach Me was patiently handled at the rear, emerged ominously around runners inside the 600m, and looked the winner a fair way out as she charged home on the outskirts of the track.

Although having no previous experience on heavy ground, Can’t Kach Me certainly emerged as a promising staying type towards the end of last season and the manner of her resuming victory should hold her in good stead for what lies ahead. 

Placed in two of three course attempts, Can’t Kach Me shortened from earlier fixed odds of $12.00 & $3.70 to pay $6.40 & $2.40 on the NZ TAB tote, after running the mile in 1:46.7.

Owned by the Te Akau Can’t Katch Her Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), Can’t Kach Me was bred by Gerry Harvey and purchased for $170,000 by David Ellis CNZM at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, from the draft of KB Bloodstock.  

“She was correct, moved well, and had plenty of quality when we bought her at the Ready To Run Sale in 2021, and there had been a lot of Group One winners bred on the same Tavistock/Zabeel cross,” Ellis said.

“She needed time to develop and get up in trip before we saw her winning, but when she won her Maiden it was pretty encouraging and she’s obviously spelled well here at the farm (Te Akau Stud), and won very well first-up.

“She was the second winner we’ve had today from the Ready To Run Sale, after Malmaison, which Wiremu (Pinn) also rode well, and we’re looking forward to buying some nice horses at the Ready To Run Sale next month (20 & 21 Nov.) at Karaka.

“It looks a really good catalogue this year and hopefully we’ll come away with what we’re after.”

The Tavistock (Montjeu) / Zabeel (Sir Tristram) cross has proved somewhat of genetic magic, none more so than producing Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther.

Tavistock, dual Group One winner and noted sire of (six) international Derby winners, including Werther, added terrific quality to New Zealand stallion ranks, producing robust and hardy horses with tough qualities with the ability to accelerate (quicken) at the business end, a trait for which he was heralded as a racehorse. 

The same Tavistock/Zabeel cross has also produced Group 1 VRC Derby 2500m)= winner, now stallion, Tarzino, and Group 1 Australasian Oaks 2000m winner Toffee Tongue, a sister to Werther.

This mare's dam Kachina is a half-sister to Hong Kong Derby winner Super Satin (Danehill Dancer), from the family of Champion HK Stayer Blazing Speed (Dylan Thomas) and Group One winners Spartacus (Danehill) and Laganore (Fastnet Rock). 

Can’t Kach Me was strapped by Talib Hussain. 

Photo credit - Ajay Berry - www.raceimages.co.nz