"There's three weeks between this race and the Hawke's Bay Guineas and then a month between the Hawke's Bay Guineas and the 2000 Guineas, which with this race under his belt now will be perfect."
A winner of just a maiden two-year-old race before his stakes win at Hastings, Catalyst's last-start effort exceeded even Chipperfield's expectations.
"We've always liked him and had a big opinion of him even before he won at the trials as easily as he did, but his run at Hastings was amazing," Chipperfield said.
"To bounce out like he did and race on the speed, he had every reason to go a bit keenly, but as soon as Troy [Harris, jockey] dropped his hands, he relaxed like a pro. And then to show a turn of foot in a race like that was quite phenomenal.
"He'd done that in his previous start but that was a maiden, not in a stakes race. And he did it so easily. He was still on the bridle at the line. He hasn't turned a hair or missed a thing to eat since then either."
Chipperfield was surprised to see the TAB open Catalyst so short for tomorrow's feature but said he was capable of producing a replica of the Hastings win.
"We've got the barrier (gate six) this time and Troy should be able to go forward and sit in the first two or three without too many problems and from there give them a real run for their money. We know Aotea Lad goes all right and he looks the horse to beat."
Chipperfield said while Catalyst's spring target was the 2000 Guineas, he wasn't averse to stepping his star up past 1600m in the summer and autumn or tackling the best of his age in Australia if his form warranted it.
"He's got a lovely, economical action and the way he settles and relaxes in his races, we don't think he'll have too many problems getting the 1600m of the 2000 Guineas and hopefully he can get over a bit more ground later on."
