Sensational Victorian speedster Catch The Thief capped off a faultless West Australian campaign with a brilliant victory in tonight’s Group Listed Winter Cup (520m) at Cannington.
The Matthew Clark-trained flyer was undefeated in a five-start foray in Perth, which also comprised a $32,000 first prize in the Group 2 WA Derby.
Unfortunately, Clark couldn’t be present to witness the ‘clean sweep’ due to COVID-19 protocols and entrusted caretaker duties to childhood mate Steven Shinners (pictured above, courtesy Greyhounds WA), who is based in Port Kennedy, near Mandurah.
Jumping smartly from Box 3 in the $19,950-to-the-winner final, Catch The Thief a fixed odds $1.65F notched his seventh successive win defeating local idol Tommy Shelby ($4.60) by three lengths in 29.63sec. It was his 13th win from 20 starts.
He also provided owner Louie Cardillo with an early birthday present. Proprietor of a security business in Sale, Cardillo turns 50 on Monday.
The reputation of Catch The Thief (May ’18 Aussie Infrared x Dundee Ally) is growing bigger by the minute.
He’s the $8 pre-nomination favourite on tab.com.au, ahead of superstars Simon Told Helen ($10) and Hooked On Scotch ($15), for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (515m) at Sandown on November 27.
Catch The Thief will arrive back in Victoria early next week, with his next mission being the G2 Bob Payne Winter Stake (520m) at Wentworth Park in Sydney.
