racing_news/

Discreet Cat Makes The Grade
26/11/06

Discreet Cat came through his toughest test with flying colours when easily winning the 18th running of the Grade One the Hill ‘n’ Dale Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, USA, on Saturday, November 25.

The exciting three-year-old Forestry colt is now unbeaten in six races and he has yet to be seriously tested.

Discreet Cat, partnered by Garrett Gomez, was keen to get on with things in the mile contest on dirt but his rider restrained him after they broke well from the stalls in the five-runner field.

Initially second to Sharp Humor, Garrett Gomez settled his mount in third but at half-way they were challenging for the lead.

Held back again, this enabled Silver Train to go to the front but he was there only on borrowed time as Discreet Cat cruised along on his heels.

The Godolphin runner took over the lead a furlong from home and, without hardly being asked, increased the margin to three and a quarter lengths at the line.

The Grade One contest was run in a very fast time, with 22.73s for the first quarter, 44.83s for the half-mile and 1m 7.75s for six furlongs

The final 1m 32.46s for the mile was fractionally outside of the course record of 1m 32.40s set by Easy Goer in 1989.

Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, commented: “This was his first Grade One run and victory so it is very special - he beat good horses and older ones.

“It was the best race he has ever run and gives confidence for the future. We are likely to aim him at the Dubai World Cup.

“He was a bit keen today and in future he needs to relax more. His time in Dubai over the winter should help him to do this.”

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, added: “We are delighted with this top-notch effort against talented horses when giving weight away.

“He will now go back to Dubai after 30 days quarantine and target the Dubai World Cup or the Godolphin Mile.

“Discreet Cat is a very talented horse and next year will be the real test for him as every race will be at the highest level.

“He has confirmed today what we hoped and expected.”

Garrett Gomez declared: “I had plenty of horse; my only concern was when I looked back was that I couldn’t tell how fast Badge of Silver second by a neck from Silver Train) was coming.

“He was hiding behind us. When I took a peak back at the eighth pole I could see him so I showed Discreet Cat the stick a couple of times and he went about his business.

“He’s never been hit with it (the whip). I’ve been excited ever since I put a leg on him. To run as fast as they ran and the way he was doing it, he’ just a nice horse.”