Crown Witness has lowered the colours of Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy; completely a perfectly-timed run to hold on and win in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield this afternoon.

Crown Witness beat Catchy in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Crown Witness jumped from the barriers well in the Quezette Stakes and took an ideal position in transit just behind the pace set by early leader Brook Magic.

Enjoying a carefree run in transit, the Star Witness filly kicked clear of her rivals when the field straightened and responded when asked for an extra effort by jockey Ben Melham; hitting the line a short nose ahead of a flying Catchy.

Trainer Stuart Webb was thrilled with Crown Witness’s performance to win the Quezette Stakes, but believes that we will not see the best of the horse until her autumn three-year-old campaign.

“I reckon David Hayes will be getting sick of this filly because all over her three wins have come over Hayes and Dabernig runners!” Webb said.

“That is terrific – Catchy, you couldn’t have any more respect for a filly and to come out and beat a horse like that within two kilos, we’re ecstatic.

“We still would have been rapt running second to a high-class filly like that, so for her to stick her head out and ears back, it’s an absolute thrill.

“I nearly had her for the autumn and we backed off, so I am mindful that she’s been in the system for a while, so we’ll see how she is this week and take it from there.

“She’s got so much speed, but she also has a brain and is relaxed so I’m not sure what we’ll do. I think she’ll get to 1400m, but we might be pushing the limits at a mile in the Thousand Guineas, I’m not sure.

“We’ll have a filly that will be nicer again in the autumn.”

Catchy was unlucky not to get the bob in and win the Quezette Stakes, while stable mate Ploverset ran well on the rails to finish third.