SPREYTON trainer Adam Trinder believes Kiwi Cat has a lot more to offer following the gelding’s first win for his new stable on Sunday.
Kiwi Cat proved too strong for his rivals in a Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1880m, which was the first time the gelding had been tried over further than 1400m since arriving in Tasmania as a reject from the Mark Kavanagh stable in October last year.
With Shannon Brazil in the saddle, Kiwi Cat settled behind the pace maker Makes Cents and travelled well to the home turn where Brazil called on the gelding for the supreme effort.
Makes Cents looked to have a bit in reserve when Kiwi Cat moved alongside 200 metres out but under strong riding Trinder’s gelding found a bit more close to home to defeat Makes Cents by almost a length.
Kiwi Cat, by One Cool Cat from the Thunder Gulch mare Mardayin, was first trained in Tasmania by Glenn Stevenson who prepared the gelding to win a class one handicap over 1200 metres at his first try in the state.
However after three more attempts the gelding was leased to new owners that sent the five-year-old to Trinder who also set about preparing him for sprint races
The new owners are Pat Redpath, Katrina Lewis and Trinder’s life partner and former top Tasmanian jockey Leah Goodrick.
It was while Trinder was working the gelding on his treadmill that he realised the horse might have a better future if tried over longer distances.
Kiwi Cat was the second leg of a winning double for Trinder who also saddled up promising two-year-old filly California Wish that won a maiden over 900 metres.
The filly was resuming from a spell having had only one start prior to the break for a second to Modo Vinco in a 2YO Maiden on Launceston Cup day.
Listen to what trainer Adam Trinder had to say about Kiwi Cat and California Wish – click here .