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There is a lot that goes into equine athletes like Catkins and Press Statement that allows punters to make them odds-on favourites come raceday and Tom Simpson is a vital cog in that wheel.
An equine physiotherapist, Simpson works at most of the top stables around Sydney and has worked with Golden Pendant favourite Catkins throughout her career.
"She is so reliant and tough. She wasn't ever a big, strong filly but the way she copes with the work and bounces off runs is amazing," Simpson said.
"That is what the good ones do have, they cope better and their pain threshold is greater. You can push them that little more.
"It is much like the human athlete, when they are elite – it is because they push themselves that little bit extra. Take Catkins, I know her well, and I can do things with her I can't do with other horses."
Catkins might not be the queen of the Chris Waller stable – that honour goes to Royal Descent – but she would be the princess.
She is the most successful horse Waller has trained, with 16 wins, but her record at set weights and penalties conditions, which are in vogue for the Golden Pendant, suggests the $1.55 at Ladbrokes could be good value.
They grey mare has raced 14 times under those conditions for nine wins, including a romp against a similar field in the Sheraco Stakes first-up, four seconds and a third.
"She is going well and won well first-up. It is hard to fault her," Waller said on his podcast available to punters on his website. "It will take a good one to beat her."
Waller would love to get a group 1 victory with the daughter of Dubawi. She has been to the top level on eight occasions, never finishing worst than sixth and clocking up three seconds and a pair of thirds. But that will be for later in the spring.
Waller likes having Simpson in his stable and the usual procedure is for the horses to be assessed before stretching and work takes place.
Simpson, who trained as a human physiotherapist then did his masters in equine athletes and also has acupuncture skills, says working with horses is the same as a human practice.
"I usually get there after their final fast gallop. We look at their gait and then it is about 30 minutes with each horse," Simpson said. "You get to know them and with these elite horse like Catkins and Press Statement you certainly take a big interest in them on raceday."
Waller said Simpson is part of the routine of kept his horses happy.
"They get aches and pains and with someone like Tom it is about managing them and keeping the horses feeling good, it makes a difference," Waller said. "It is important with a mare like Catkins because as they get older there are little niggles that he works on and knows."
Waller will have the favourite in half the races on the program but other than Catkins, J.J. Atkins winner Press Statement holds the most interest in the Stan Fox Stakes.
The Hinchinbrook colt didn't have the best of luck in the straight when fifth in the Golden Rose a couple of weeks ago and the premier trainer wants to kept him in Sydney for his final preparation for the Caulfield Guineas.
"It is a nice race with a small field and it won't have the hustle and bustle of the Guineas Prelude at Caulfield," Waller said. "He is going really well and I think the trip should suit better."
