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California Cat is ready to claw back

CALIFORNIA CAT showed improvement in his manners and looks ready for his comeback win in Sunday's Mitavite Cup, a set-weight Metro C event over 1,400m in Race 7, with a two-round workout at Sungei Besi yesterday.

Taken out by apprentce jockey Bukhari Abdul Hamid, the four-year-old Australian gelding by Antonius Pius cantered two rounds on the sand track and pulled up looking in excellent shape. The going was good.

California Cat, who arrived unraced in April 2012, has three wins and a third in seven outings. He went three up, which was also his double, thrashing Brunei Royal by a street in a Class 4 event over 1,200m in Kuala Lumpur in yielding going and clocked 1:10.1.

California Cat, however, gave problems in his next two outings at the start and failed to follow up on his recent form. On Dec 29, 2013, he fly-jumped, causing the rider to become unbalanced in his saddle and lose ground, resulting in the rider losing his near-side iron which he regathered after travelling approximately 80m.

The saddle slipped backwards during the running, placing his rider at a disadvantage. He eventually flew home to finish sixth to Mystic Power in the Group 3 Magic Millions Classic over 1,200m in Penang in good going.

Last time out, California Cat began awkwardly before running on to finish sixth to Terada in the Metro B event over 1,200m in yielding going and was five lengths behind the winner, who clocked 1:09.5.

Trained by Frank Maynard for Northwest Racing Stable, California Cat's behaviour has improved tremendously and should give a better performance this weekend.

WORKOUTS BY HORSES RUNNING ON SATURDAY

Race 1: Slow work: Into The Storm, Shortcut and Champagne Rose. G Strategist worked in the sand track.

Race 2: King Of The Creek canter/38, keenly. Concrescence canter/39.2. Slow work: Nonno's Champ, looking well. Big Sur and Fill My Pocket worked in the back straight.

Race 3: Rumours and Sharp Shooter worked in the back straight while Bull And Bear worked in the sand ring.

WORKOUTS BY HORSES RUNNING ON SUNDAY

Race 1: Amongst The Stars (Denes) 39.8.

Race 2: Blazing Dragon canter/38.1.

Race 3: Conquistador 39.9.

Race 7: Rapid Approach (De Souza) canter/37.2. California Cat went two rounds with Bukhari Hamid in the saddle. He pulled up in good shape.

Race 9: Masquerain 37.1, smartly.