Race favourite Catapulted wins the 2011 Rubiton Stakes
Starting the $3.80 favourite at Luxbet, Catapulted ran a big strong race and added to the great record of the favourites at Caulfield today.
Catapulted travelled well throughout the race, jockey Michael Rodd settling him just off the speed behind early leaders Solar Charged and Avenue.
After missing the jump by a half length, John O’Shea’s filly Solar Charged moved up to settle second behind the Peter Moody-trained mare Avenue before snaring the lead.
On the turn the two females shared the lead, former Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reward For Effort poised right behind them.
Along the straight Catapulted found the room they needed after being caught up at the top, pulling out a commanding burst to hit the lead with 100m to go and find the line hard.
In the end it was Catapulted a half length ahead of Avenue with Solar Charged hanging on for third.
Time Matters, the roughie of the field paying up to $101 in the markets, was an eye-catching fourth.
After looking a chance, Reward For Effort weakened on the run home to finish well back.
It was a smart winning time for Catapulted, Kavanagh considering a start in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 26 but still to confirm with the handicap conditions of the feature maybe not the best fit for the horse.
Catapulted, a Group 1 placegetter and a stakes winner in three states last preparation, has now won 10 of their 19 career starts.
Punters have one last chance to get in on the CF Orr Stakes Day racing action at Caulfield this afternoon with the final event on the card, the $125,000 Group 3 Hyderabad Race Club Stakes (1200m), due to jump at 5:50pm (AEDST).
For all the best horse racing odds today and throughout the autumn, make sure you have an account open with premier online bookmaker Luxbet!
2011 Rubiton Stakes Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | CATAPULTED(4) | Michael Rodd | Mark Kavanagh | 58.0 | 1-2.23 |
| 2nd | 5 | AVENUE(6) | Luke Nolen | Peter G Moody | 56.0 | 1.0L |
| 3rd | 13 | SOLAR CHARGED(3) | Glen Boss | John O’Shea | 53.0 | 1.2L |
| 4th | 8 | TIME MATTERS(10) | Nicholas Hall | Darren Weir | 55.5 | 2.0L |
| 5th | 10 | ACORNS(2) | Damien Oliver | Mick Price | 55.5 | 2.2L |
| 6th | 7 | FASTER SON(5) | Craig Williams | Trevor Bailey | 56.0 | 2.3L |
| 7th | 3 | EAGLE FALLS(1) | Steven Arnold | David Hayes | 57.0 | 2.6L |
| 8th | 2 | REWARD FOR EFFORT(7) | Ben Melham | Peter G Moody | 57.0 | 2.7L |
| 9th | 4 | WINTER KING(8) | Corey Brown | David Payne | 57.0 | 3.2L |
| 10th | 12 | WORDMASTER(9) | Chris Symons | Bennie Benbow | 55.5 | 4.9L |
| Src | 6 | BROKEN | Mark Zahra | Darren Weir | ||
| Src | 9 | HAPPY GLEN | Craig Newitt | Robbie Griffiths | ||
| Src | 11 | MASTER OF DESIGN | Dwayne Dunn | Adam Durrant |
Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography
