Kitty Cat Chat’s runaway first-up victory in South Africa on Thursday can kick-start a winning weekend in Australia for her sire Press Statement.

His flying filly had bolted in at Kenilworth in September and trainer Brett Crawford was just as impressed with her straight-course performance in the Racing Association Hcp (1000m).  “That was a facile win and now she’s two from two,” he said.  “She had shown good work at home and the distance suited today.”

Kitty Cat Chat races for Wayne & Belinda Kieswetter and their sons Craig & Ross who operate industry innovator Ridgemont Stud.  She was conceived in Press Statement’s initial season at Vinery and is the first foal of Kiwi Karma (NZ) who won a Golden Horseshoe Gr.2 and Prestige Classic LR in Singapore.

Repatriated to Australia, Kiwi Karma (Fast ‘N’ Famous) was soon back in transit to South Africa with a PPT to Press Statement after being purchased by Ridgemont for $200,000 at the 2017 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

Kitty Cat Chat was being touted for the Cape Guineas Gr.1 before going out for a spring break.  “She’s a serious filly,” Craig Kieswetter declared.  “She’s shown speed from the pens and has done it easily.”

Press Statement’s NZ-based filly Hold The Press doubled up at Otaki and Trentham in October and she holds a nomination for the Levin Classic Gr.1 at Trentham on January 16.

Meanwhile, Scone trainer Stephen Jones is hoping his Press Statement colt Baby Wong can qualify for next month’s $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic this Saturday.  He earned minor black-type in the Phelan Ready Stakes Gr.3 a fortnight ago and returns to Eagle Farm for the Bruce McLachlan Stakes Gr.3.

Baby Wong will probably punch a Magic Millions ticket with a top-three finish on Boxing Day.  “He’s high-class but has had terrible luck in all three starts,” Jones said.  “Last time he tried to jump too quickly and came out on his nose.”

Baby Wong was bred by Gerry Harvey and Press Statement got him from unraced More Than Ready mare Spice Temple.  That same cross will be carried by the Chris Anderson-trained filly Silver Bo in Race 1 at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Press Statement’s Randwick winner Giovanna Run returns from a spell in the Gosford Guineas LR on Tuesday ahead of the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas RL at the Gold Coast on January 16.