David Polkinghorne July 07, 2012
Canberra trainer Nick Olive was disappointed with Natch Catch's barrier draw at Rosehill today. Photo: Gary Schafer
Canberra trainer Nick Olive was confident lightly-raced Natch Catch was a chance in the Parramatta Handicap (1500 metres) at Rosehill today - until she was drawn in the car park.
The five-year-old mare drew gate 19, hindering her chances in the Benchmark 80 Handicap for fillies and mares.
He said he'd ''drawn terribly'' over the next week and wasn't sure what he'd done wrong to offend the racing gods.
Olive said the daughter of Catcher In The Rye was a late developer, which is why she'd had only 14 starts, but he was hoping she would prove herself at city level this campaign.
She has won five of her starts, with four places as well.
Natch Catch is coming off a last-start win in an Open Handicap (1280m) on the Canberra Acton track.
She was also nominated for the Mother's Day Gift (1400m) at Grafton on Thursday, but Olive said she was going to Sydney instead.
''I know she's drawn 19 but there's not really another race for her to go in so she's going to have to go in that,'' he said yesterday.
''I'm just trying to place her. I think she deserves the chance to go in town.
''I honestly thought if she drew a gate in that race she'd be competitive in it, but hopefully something goes right tomorrow and she gets a nice run.
''The other thing is it's going to be a wet track so they might be heading off the track by the end of the day so it might be a bit more advantageous that it first looks.''
Olive was hopeful the expected heavy Rosehill track wouldn't be a problem for Natch Catch.
''She's never really been on a heavy track, but she's gotten through a slow track well,'' he said.
''I suppose time will tell tomorrow.''
Olive thought 1600m was her best distance - she's won once at that trip.
Natch Catch was a $38.60 long shot, with the Our Girl Charlize the $5.90 favourite in an open affair.
Canberra hoop Brendan Hoop has the job on Natch Catch and has 93 wins for the season.
He's desperately trying to bring up his first century of victories and has until the end of July to ride seven more winners.