Cape Kidnappers In Good Condition Heading Into Lightning Handicap

Trainer Kelly Schweida believes that injury-plagued sprinter Cape Kidnappers is at close to peak condition heading into the 2014 Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Cape Kidnappers returned to winning form in the Chief De Beers Handicap at Doomben on May 24.

Cape Kidnappers returned to winning form in the Chief De Beers Handicap at Doomben on May 24. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Cape Kidnappers has had soundness issues throughout his racing career, restricting him to just 12 starts, but Schweida told Racing Ahead this morning that he has been very happy with the way that the Commands gelding has come out of his dominant win in the Listed Chief De Beers Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on May 24.

“He is really good and probably the best that he has been,” Schweida said.

“He has a few issues with an old leg injury, but he is really good and really bright this morning.

“He had a great run in transit, which might have flattered us a little bit, Damian Browne had him in the box seat and he was really strong late.

“They ran a really good time and it was only .14 outside of the course record held by Star Of Florida a long time ago.

“That was pleasing and we were really pleased with his effort.”

Cape Kidnappers will be dropping back to 1000 metres for the Lightning Handicap, but should receive a lovely run in transit just behind the leaders after drawing barrier five for the Listed event.

The Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 21 is the major 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival goal for Cape Kidnappers, but Schweida believes that the six-year-old is forward enough to score his second straight win in the Lightning Handicap this weekend.

“Each run he has the fitter he gets and that is probably my only query whether he is sharp enough to stay in touch with them,” Schweida said.

“I think that he will be strong late and he is running in a strong 1200 in a fortnights time in the Healy Stakes.

“You don’t get any guide from his work because he is very lazy on the track and does nothing.

“It is a really hot speed and Adebisi and Rocky King will be ripping over.

“From that gate if we can just stay in touch I think that he will be strong late and he has had two goes at the 1000 metres at Eagle Farm and has won them both.”

Cape Kidnappers is currently available at 2014 Lightning Handicap odds of $2.60 and is a clear favourite from Howmuchdoyouloveme ($4.80) and Big Money ($6).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.