Boutique trainer Murray Lindau will have the distinction of starting two runners in next Friday’s Group 1 $250,000 Diamond Classic Final (2130m) after Im Catastrophic and Our Robyn Hood qualified in Monday’s heats at Gloucester Park.
Our Robyn Hood ($6) fought determinedly to recapture third place in the opening heat behind Nevele Arma ($1.70f) before Im Catastrophic caused an upset to land the third and final qualifier.
Assisted by a nippy initial pace set by fancies Seaside Serenade ($1.55f) and Scandaleyes ($2.60), Im Catastrophic ($17) was caught without cover for the first 900m before the favourite obliged to race ahead of her.
Once getting organised at the top of the straight, Stuart McDonald sent Im Catastrophic after Seaside Serenade and claimed the front with 80m to go before winning by more than a length.
Lindau expressed relief that Im Catastrophic was able to showcase her true ability after being beaten in two prior appearances.
“I thought she could run a race that would see her qualify but I didn’t think she would beat Belly’s horse (Seaside Serenade), although the early burn didn’t do that horse any favours,” Lindau said.
“All the same, it wasn’t like she had the easiest run. She was without cover early until Seaside Serenade came off the inside.”
The barrier draw will be critical for deciding the final where Lindau’s fillies will meet.
“I think Im Catastrophic has got a better motor than the other one, but I’d be happy to keep either of them,” he said.
“I thought Our Robyn Hood was dropping off and was hoping she’d at least run fourth but to her credit, she fought it out like I know she can.”
The 71-year-old was closely involved with Im Catastrophic’s mother, Typhoon Tiff, who was trained by Colin Brown when she also won a heat of the Diamond before finishing a close second in the final behind Majorpride.
“Early day’s at Browny’s, Typhoon Tiff was a ratbag,” Lindau said.
“Credit to Browny, he turned her around, but when I got Im Catastrophic, I said, ‘this one doesn’t belong to Typhoon Tiff, they’ve been mixed up in the paddock’.
“This one’s the complete opposite and was always lovely. It’s the same with Our Robyn Hood. Her mum, Robyn’s C C, she couldn’t pace a yard early but from day one, her daughter has been a beautiful pacer.”
A Diamond victory would feel fitting for the family’s owner-breeders Trevor and Colleen Lindsay after Im Catastrophic’s older sister, Im Category Five, was beaten into third place in last year’s Diamond behind Wishing Belle.
“Trevor and Colleen, they’ve been really good to me. I said I’d break the horses in, and they can go wherever (to be trained),” Lindau said.
“But Colleen said we’d really like you to take them.
“I did know when I broke them in, they’d be alright.”