Belmont Cat clinched the SI filly title when she won the Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton on May 3.
The daughter of Felix The Cat-Morgan Glory was trained at Washdyke by Michael Daly, who raced her with his partner, Donna Williamson, and Derek and Catherine Mayne, of Timaru.
Belmont Cat finished second to The Pearler in the listed NZ Bloodstock Air Freight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton in April, but she returned a positive test to butazone.
She was disqualified and Daly fined $6000.
He said he had butazone at his stable but it was not being used to treat any member of his stable at the time of the positive.
Belmont Cat also finished second to Thimble in a listed 1400m race for 3yr-old fillies at Wingatui in April. Daly has scratched Turf Fire at Riccarton tomorrow due to the heavy track.
He said the 4yr-old mare would have a fortnight spell and be aimed at the Pegasus Stakes at the NZ Cup meeting in November.
"She is that much better on top of the ground," Daly said.
The daughter of O'Reilly won a maiden at Riccarton in December in 57.52 for the Pegasus distance of 1000m.
She won over 1200m at Kurow in January and Riccarton in June.
D'cash, who was bought by Williamson to stand at Pleasant Point, has been to the fore in recent weeks.
He has sired Strapped For Cash, winner of the Taumarunui Cup last Saturday, Waikeepadacash (Te Awamutu Cup) and Our Holly Day, a maiden winner fo Daly at Oamaru last Sunday.
