Trainer Clayton Chipperfield admitted he had been confident of a winning run until he saw the barrier draw on Wednesday.
"Up until the barrier came out, I was very confident," Chipperfield said.
"Once we got that draw, I thought typical as the last eight runners of ours have drawn outside.
"He's a class horse though and he (Harris) bounced him out and had him handy which was perfect."
The winner of two races from three attempts, Catalyst finished a well-beaten seventh on debut at Te Rapa, a run that Chipperfield was prepared to forgive after he turned that form around with a five-length victory at New Plymouth at his next start.
"I don't think he liked the kickback at Te Rapa, as he was slow out, copped it in the face and just gave up," he said.
"We knew he had a lot of ability, even though he flopped at Te Rapa, but when he won at New Plymouth, we knew we had something special then.
"We will come back here for the (Hawke's Bay) Guineas and then we'll throw a nomination in for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) at Riccarton as well."
Rider Troy Harris, who had won the previous race on impressive Matamata visitor Germanicus, was thrilled with the performance by Catalyst who did everything asked of him during the race.
"He just has a lot of untapped ability," he said.
"I drew wide and was positive on him. He got there (the trail) and put himself to sleep and as soon as I asked him for a turn of foot, he gave it to me.
"I rode him early on in his two trials and I've always rated him. It's a pleasure to get back on at the races.
"He reminds me of his old man, Darci Brahma, who I rode at the track and he is the spitting image.
"It's scary to think how good he could be."
The Oaks Stud and Darci Brahma continued their winning run just one race later when lightly raced mare Spring Bouquet was successful over 1400m to register her second career victory.
– NZ Racing Desk