Cat to pounce on Caulfield sprints?

Written by Edward Sadler for racing.com

Tom Dabernig's winning machine Cleo Cat could use Saturday's Listed Bel Esprit Stakes as a stepping stone towards other feature sprint events at Caulfield this winter.

The four-year-old mare is unbeaten from two runs this preparation, including her victory in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes last start, which was her biggest success to date.

Image Courtesy of Racing Photos

"Cleo Cat has kicked off the prep well with two wins and is coming off a strong win in Group company in Adelaide," Dabernig said.

"She's in good shape."

Dabernig has placed Cleo Cat well, allowing her to work her way through the grades, winning seven races from eight career starts in the process, with her only defeat coming in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes in January.

"She's been one of those improving types," Dabernig said.

"She only got beat once, at Geelong and that was when it was 36 degrees and she pulled up with heat stress and only got beaten 1.4 lengths, so it was still a good run."

Due to her defeat in those conditions, the Warrnambool-based trainer has deliberately brought Cleo Cat back to the races in the cooler months weather-wise.

Dabernig believes that there's still further improvement to come from Cleo Cat, given that he hasn't had to push her to get her to where she is today.

The well-bred daughter of American Pharoah is likely to return to Caulfield on at least a couple more occasions this preparation.

"I thought those races in late July, the sprints at Caulfield, might suit her, the Bletchingly and Monash and those sorts of races, coming off the fitness out of winter," Dabernig said.

Cleo Cat is at $5 in Sportsbet's market for the Bel Esprit Stakes.

In addition to Cleo Cat, Dabernig will also saddle up Fickle in Saturday's main event over 1100m, marking her first trip to the races since January.

"Fickle's first-up, which ideally I would have loved 1000m first-up," Dabernig admitted.

"As she's a well-bred I Am Invincible that hasn't got black type yet but is a multiple metro winner, we thought we would give it a shot.

"She's drawn a nice inside draw, she sits right on the pace and it looks a race that's got a heap of speed in it.

"The only slight query might be the first-up and 1100m for her, but she's going well, she trialled very well at Horsham, I gave her three trials trying to have her nice and fit enough for it, but I thought her last trial was very good."

Sportsbet has Fickle at $19 for Race 8 at Caulfield.

Dabernig has also accepted with Romantic Choice for the Bel Esprit Stakes, however, she may be saved for the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill next week instead due to her wide barrier draw for Saturday's race.