Outstanding sprinter Catapulted confirmed a Stradbroke Handicap start with a dashing win in the G2 QTC Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.  The victory continued the Catbird gelding’s purple-patch of form this year.  

Catapulted (4g Catbird – Siren Miss by Umatilla) won the G3 McKay Stakes at Morphettville in April and was then runner-up to Velocitea in the G1 Goodwood.  He won the Listed Straight Six at Flemington on May 15 before travelling to Brisbane where he maintained winning momentum yesterday.

The result rounded out a wonderful result for Magic Millions and trainer Mark Kavanagh.  Catapulted led home a First 4 for Magic Millions graduates in the QTC Cup.  Leading South Australian vendor Mill Park sold him for $90,000 at the 2007 Adelaide Magic Millions.

The QTC Cup completed a three-state treble for Kavanagh.  Earlier in the day he has prepared the winners Outlandish Lad (Morphettville) and Elusive Touch (Flemington).

Kavanagh holds the whip hand in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm next Saturday with Catapulted and Whobegotyou.  “This bloke will be a definite chance in the Stradbroke,” Kavanagh said after the gelding survived a protest in the QTC Cup.  “Whobegotyou is proven at Group 1 level and Catapulted is heading in the right direction.”

Catapulted is by deceased Yarraman Park sire Catbird and he is one of two winners produced by Siren Miss.  The dam only got as far as a Gawler maiden win for Mill Park owner Peter Watson.  She is a sister to the Perth stakes winning juvenile Umatune who, in turn, is the dam of three stakes performers.