Country cups could again be on the agenda for Cat Noir after she recaptured winning form at Colac on Tuesday.
The five-year-old mare was back to her best when she put away a small field in the Bakerland BM62 Hcp (1610m).
Ridden by Dylan Dunn, Cat Noir was returning from a hock injury which sidelined her for more than 50 days, but was up to the task, settling fourth in the five-horse field and finishing too strongly for her rivals.
Assistant trainer James Edwards said the daughter of Merchant Navy had proven a handful at times but was talented.
A notably bad traveller, the daughter of Merchant Navy injured her hock when being floated home from an abandoned meeting at Geelong in November, but has won four of her 19 starts and collected more than $93,000 prizemoney.
Cat Noir is city-placed and there are hopes that she will be competitive in future midweek city races and country cups.
“She’s got a lot of ability but she is a hard work, because in a lot of her races, she hangs out, she hangs in, but today, she did everything right,” James said.
“A year ago, she actually ran in the Colac Cup and didn’t have a lot of luck, finishing fifth.
“So back to 62 grade and with a few decent scratchings today, she was always going to be in with a show.”
“Essentially it was mile first up after about eight weeks, so she has done a good job.”
Dylan Dunn said that while Cat Noir lost some focus in the final 200 metres, she really won the race early in the home straight.
“She was actually stronger from the 400m to 200m, as she sort of floated a little bit when she got into the clear.”
Well supported at $2.90, Cat Noir scored in a blanket finish by 1/2 neck from Liberty Rae ($4.60) and $2.50 favourite Ballon D’Or.
“She dug deep today and maybe now she has a bit of confidence, she will be able to continue on with it,” Dylan said.