Exciting prospect Speedy Cat bounced back to form with a fast-finishing victory in the Zurich Stakes (1400m) at Kranji on Sunday.

Speedy Cat (3g Scaredee Cat – Lane Cove by Magic Of Sydney) racked up four wins in a row earlier this year by either leading or racing close to the speed.  The NZ bred gelding had been run down by Super Easy and Grand Arrival at his previous two starts but a change of tactics brought about a change of luck on Sunday.

After beginning moderately for regular partner John Powell in the Zurich Stakes, he settled worse than midfield and was spotting the leaders a half-dozen lengths on the corner.  Powell peeled him off heels and the gelding extended nicely to reel in Masthead before drawing clear for a three length win.

Trainer Alvin Tan said he wasn’t sure how Speedy Cat would handle the 1400 metres for the first time but had been persuaded by Powell to step him up in distance.  “The feedback I got from Johnny was he can go up to 1600m,” Tan said.  “He’s never disappointed us and I may even consider sending him to Dubai next year if he keeps improving.”

Speedy Cat (NZ) was a $5,000 buy from Grande Vue Lodge at the 2010 NZB Select yearling sale and he has now scored five wins and two seconds from seven starts for earnings in excess of S$260,000.  His dam is an unraced half-sister to G1 NZ Oaks winner Vapour Trail (Jetball).

Former Waikato Stud sire Scaredee Cat was a G2 winner of the Ascot Vale Stakes at Flemington before retiring to stud in NZ.  A son of Tale Of The Cat, he transferred to Strathalbyn based Commercial Thoroughbreds in South Australia last year and stands for a $3,300 service fee.