Gold Coast trainer Adam Campton made the most of Michael Costa’s move to Dubai when Catwalk Criminal cruised home on debut at Beaudesert on Tuesday.
The Press Statement 2yo filly changed stables when Costa signed a retainer with Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum leaving Campton to prepare her for the Sky Racing Maiden Hcp (1100m).
Catwalk Criminal was quickly into stride and was untroubled to score by three lengths although she did catch Karl Zechner by surprise when jumping a shadow at the winning post. “She’s our first 2yo runner of the season and won like a nice horse,” Campton said. “I couldn’t be more proud.
“She’s a special filly and thanks go to my hard-working team and to Karl for a peach of a steer.”
Catwalk Criminal was bred by Vinery and is the first-named foal of Angie Sanclemente (Makfi). The NZ-bred mare delivered another filly by Press Statement last September.
Campton, 33, and his partner Tayla Whalley are twelve months into assembling a team on the Gold Coast after four years in Hong Kong. They’re based alongside Lee Freedman right opposite the Magic Millions sales complex.
Annabel Neasham’s Gold Coast satellite also houses Costa’s brilliant maiden winner Manhood. He’s a son of Vinery sire Headwater and has been nominated to race first-up at the Gold Coast this Saturday.
Campton’s Vinery connection continued at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale when he bought an All Too Hard – Lilymorn colt from KBL Thoroughbreds for $45,000. His dam is a NZ-bred half-sister to Hippopus (VRC St Leger LR & Canberra Cup LR).
Press Statement provided the Freedman family with a winner on Friday when his 3yo filly Notions shouldered 59.5kg to outclass older horses at Goulburn. Trained by Richard & Will Freedman, she was racing second-up after closing out her last prep with a midfield finish in the Gloaming Stakes (Gr.3, 1800m) at Rosehill.
A natural hard-going type, Notions was ridden quietly by Willie Pike and responded with a soft win over My Snow Queen (Star Turn) in the Divalls Earthmoving Hcp (1300m). “Once I had cover, she travelled really good,” Pike reported. “And once I got out, she was strong right through the line.”
Notions was bred in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges by Miranda Park owner Gary O’Meara and was purchased by Dynamic Syndications for $90,000 at the 2020 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. Her dam She’s Sirius (Galileo) won two races over a mile at the Sydney provincials and she is a half-sister to Spectrolite (VRC Ottawa Stakes LR).
Press Statement has sired 10 individual winners in the last month and he stands at Vinery for an $8,800 (inc GST) service fee. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
