The ‘CAT Is Back!
Just when you might think a horse has lost a step, here comes MAMBO WILDCAT!
The rich G1 Fee Duty at Dubai was the grizzled vet’s eighth career Grade 1 win, and probably the most gratifying for his conections due to the comeback the brown horse had gone through.
The Forest Wildcat offspring was injured in a small stakes last September, and spent three long months away from the track. He came back in January, finishing 2nd in an allowance, then won a rather slow allowance last month before jockeymax pronounced his big horse fit enough for a return to Graded company. The excellent trainer decided not to start small, entering against some of the Sim’s best in this gigantic race, where he was dismissed at 18/1, the longest price in the field.
The “expert” writer previewing the race (Yeah, that was me) wondered in his article if this fine horse was ever going to make it top the top, doubting his ability to contend. WRONG!
Running a few lengths off the leaders early, MAMBO WILDCAT moved close to the leaders as the stretch loomed, then unleashed a big charge that carried him right past ’em and into the winners’ circle! With this exciting win, the fabulous brown horse raised his bankroll to a cool $5.9 million.
K’S INSATIABLE was the last one that MAMBO passed, just before the wire. This wrecks2 trainee had just flat-out run right past the expected pace due, and built a nearly four-length lead before getting run down by the ‘CAT.
Favored OTTO HAACK closed late to pick up the show dough, but his slightly disappointed trainer, oahaack, had nothing but praise for the winning horse and trainer. “I have to tip my hat to ’em, and just try to get ’em another day. That “cat” had way too much for any of us today! Honestly, it’s great to see comeback efforts like that!”