Catfight highlights Classic credentials in Anemone Stakes

Catfight set herself up for some lofty three-year-old targets as she gamely won the Listed Anemone Stakes over a mile at Nakayama, Japan, on Sunday, 10 March.

The Discreet Cat homebred, who had lowered the juvenile record when taking a Stakes race over the same course and distance in September, broke quickly and disputed the early running before settling behind the leaders after a furlong and a half.

Having graduated to second with three furlongs left, Catfight hugged the inner rail turning in, allowing her to quicken up the inside of Meisho Yozora and take the lead entering the final quarter-mile.

Catfight responded well for Takuya Ono in the straight and the Hiroyuki Uehara-trained filly opened up a clear advantage entering the final furlong. Teumessa closed strongly in the final strides, but Catfight had enough in reserve to prevail by a neck.

Harry Sweeney, President of Godolphin in Japan, said: “Uehara trainer has only recently got a couple of horses from us and has done a great job not only with Catfight but also with another three-year-old, Clear Air, who is G2 placed.

“Catfight surprised us a little on debut by winning really well and she has confirmed that form again by winning today in Listed class and guaranteeing a starting berth in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) in April. The Discreet Cat – Pyro cross is working very well for us but unfortunately we won’t have too many more.

“We will have a second interest in the Oka Sho as Etes Vous Prets, who carries the colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, won the other trial today.”