26 Dec 2008
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock delivered on his word when debutant
Cats Whiskers became the first southern hemisphere race winner for Cambridge Stud-based sire One Cool Cat at Saturday's Taranaki meeting.
"I said to Sir Patrick (Hogan, owner of Cambridge Stud) that I thought she would be the first winner for One Cool Cat in New Zealand and she's done exactly that," Sharrock said.
"It's a nice Christmas present for Sir Patrick - just 24 hours later than his other presents," said Sharrock.
Sharrock said Cats Whiskers had shown ample ability from day one of coming into his stable and was a precocious type."
"I knew it wouldn't take long for her to win a race and she's achieved that first time to the races," he said.
"My sights are now going to be a lot higher with the filly. I will aim her for races like the Wakefield Stakes at Trentham or the Matamata Breeders' Stakes as she's up to black-type company," Sharrock said.
Cats Whiskers was ridden by Michael Walker who rode four winners at the Taranaki race-meeting.
Cats Whiskers is raced by her breeders, Eltham brothers Craig and Ben Bishop.
The filly's dam, Jillzao, is nicely bred being a half-sister to proven Cambridge Stud sire Keeper.
Jillzao will be represented by a Stravinsky filly at the 2009 Karaka Yearling Sales later next month.
One Cool Cat (by Storm Cat) has been represented by 25 individual winners in the Northern Hemisphere including eight stakes-performers.