Cataldo recruits on Classic trail

New Zealand bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo has enjoyed a rewarding weekend, with Australian recruits Miss Waititi (NZ) (Circus Maximus) and De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) enhancing their Classic prospects at Flemington and Randwick.

Miss Waititi surged to favouritism for the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) with a decisive victory against the males in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m), while De Armas is likely to be supplemented for the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) after finishing a neck runner-up in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m).

For Cataldo, the performances provided further endorsement of two fillies he identified at different stages of their development.

Miss Waititi was purchased for Australian owner Tim Porter after just one trial appearance for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike.

The daughter of Circus Maximus had failed to meet her $80,000 reserve when offered by Windsor Park Stud at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale, before finishing second in an 800m trial at Avondale in December.

“She closed strongly in that trial, coming from off the pace and looked good doing it,” Cataldo said.

“She showed speed for a filly that is bred to get distance and had plenty of size and scope.

“I’m a big fan of Circus Maximus. Credit to Windsor Park for bringing in these well-bred Classic stallions who will produce our Derby and Oaks winners in the future.”

Windsor Park’s stallion roster also includes dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Paddington.

Cataldo subsequently arranged her purchase for Porter, whose racing interests have included Everest winner Bella Nipotina (Pride OF Dubai), and she joined the stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

Miss Waititi continues a successful association between Cataldo and the training partnership, following Golden Eagle winner I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) and multiple Group Three winner Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj).

“I had a lot to do with Michael’s father Mick senior, and Michael used to come to New Zealand a lot and stay with us,” Cataldo said.

Miss Waititi is now the clear $4 favourite with the New Zealand TAB for the VRC Oaks on November 5, with one further start likely before her Classic assignment.

“You couldn’t help but be impressed with her win in the Super Impose against the males,” Cataldo said.

“It would be a huge thrill for the Price-Kent stable to win a race like this as our relationship goes back a long way.”

De Armas, meanwhile, came onto Cataldo’s radar during a successful juvenile campaign for Otaki trainer Johnno Benner, who secured the daughter of Ardrossan for $16,000 from Elsdon Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2025 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.

She won her first two starts, including a Listed victory, before finishing fourth in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO after racing wide without cover throughout.

“I thought De Armas was the standout two-year-old filly last season along with Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution), and we were trying to buy her all the way through, but her owners wouldn’t entertain selling until after the Karaka Million,” Cataldo said.

“Straight after that race, OTI were in a position to buy the majority of her, with three of her original owners staying in. OTI are great supporters of New Zealand and of buying New Zealand horses and hopefully we can get a Group One win with her.”

Her narrow Flight Stakes defeat also carried a pedigree connection to an earlier success Cataldo helped secure for the Terry Henderson-led syndication company.

“We arranged OTI to purchase Aloisia (NZ) (Azamour), and she won the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield, beating Shoals (Fastnet Rock),” he said.

“This time, De Armas and OTI were beaten by Global Goal (Pinatubo), who is out of a full sister to Shoals.”

Although De Armas was not initially nominated for the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 17, Cataldo understands a late entry is planned. She is on the fourth line of TAB betting at $7.

“Hopefully both fillies will fly the flag for our industry. Australia is our shop window and we need our three-year-olds to keep performing there like they do, season after season,” he said.

With the New Zealand dollar trading at around A80c, Cataldo said the favourable exchange rate and strong results across the Tasman were helping maintain Australian demand for New Zealand horses.

“The New Zealand dollar definitely helps without a doubt. The demand from Australia is high. The New Zealand horses are just doing so well over there. It’s a no-brainer for them to look into anything that shows form here.”

Closer to home, Cataldo also has connections to Miss Magnetica (NZ) (Contributer) and Grocer’s Girl (NZ) (Tarzino), who are being aimed at the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.

Miss Magnetica is trained by Hollie Elliot and races for Australian Michael Auld, owner of leading mare She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High), while Grocer’s Girl is trained by Tony Pike and part-owned by OTI Racing.

Both fillies will contest the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) before heading south.

“Both Miss Magnetica and Grocer’s Girl are going to the Soliloquy, then they will head to Riccarton for the 1000 Guineas,” Cataldo said.

With Classic prospects on both sides of the Tasman, Cataldo is also looking forward to assessing the next wave of talent at Te Rapa’s breeze-ups next week ahead of the NZB Ready to Run Sale.

“The record of the horses out of the sale speaks for itself. The pinhookers here are so good at what they do,” he said.

“They buy that type of horse that fits Hong Kong. So as long as the Hong Kong buyers keep coming back, it is always going to be a brilliant sale. There are also plenty of horses suited to Australia and the record of the graduates is exceptionally strong.”