Stakeswinner No. 64 for Redoute’s Choice

The ups and downs of racing are frequently experienced within the space of ten minutes, as happened this afternoon when Gerry Harvey‘s 3YO homebred filly Kittens gave Redoute’s Choice his 64th stakeswinner in the $80,000 SAJC Hill Smith S. 1800m LR.

Ten minutes earlier the champion sire’s undoubtedly talented 3YO son Rekindled Interest was almost knocked off his feet just after the start of the MRC Caulfield Guineas G1. His courageous recovery to finish fifth left plenty of “what-ifs” on the track, and Kittens’ half-head victory in Adelaide was welcome compensation.

It was the first win in five starts for the daughter of the Barathea mare St. Katherine, a half-sister to the Group One-winning trio of Bonanova, Fraternity and Telesto, all descended from a half-sister to the great broodmare Eight Carat.

Kittens is trained by Mark Kavanagh for her owner-breeder Gerry Harvey, who also has a yearling colt he will present at the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and a recently foaled filly by Redoute’s Choice from St Katherine.

Her trainer confirmed after the race that Kittens will now travel to Melbourne for the Wakeful Stakes and VRC Oaks, adding that she had always shown good ability and it was a matter of getting her over ground. He said, “She appreciated the step up to 1800 (metres) and the blinkers went on as well.”