Co-trainer Paul Snowden has revealed that boom colt Capitalist is no certainty to take his place in Saturday’s featured Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Capitalist may return to racing in Saturday’s Group 2 Missile Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Capitalist has not been seen at the races since his dominant performance for success in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19th, but the now three-year-old has impressed through two strong barrier trials leading up to an underlined return in the Missile Stakes 2016.
The Written Tycoon colt remains a clear and justifiable odds-on favourite to win the Missile Stakes first-up, but Snowden told Racing Ahead that a decision on a start will be left until race day; owing to the continually-deteriorating conditions at Randwick.
“There’s no decision as far as him not running, that’s for sure, I think we’ll leave that right up until game day,” Snowden said.
“There’s a lot of wind around currently and that will continue right up until Saturday, I think the damage is done – there’s been in excess of 18mm in the last 24 hours.
“I think it’s probably about going forward and our options if we do scratch. If he runs the following week he’ll carry 60. He could go down to Melbourne in a set weight race for three-year-olds. Those are the options we’ve got up our sleeve.
“We’ve got a 7kgs pull in the weights on Saturday, so that has to count for something.”
Capitalist is yet to race on track that is anything less than a ‘Good’ rating, but Snowden revealed the colt has shown no signs he would not handle the wet.
“A couple of trials he’s had were on slow tracks. The Kensington trials have been slow, we work on it every Tuesday and that’s probably always on the worse side of slow,” Snowden said.
“He travels through it alright, it’s just when you let them off the bridle you don’t know. He hasn’t been on what’s going to be presented on Saturday as far as how heavy it’s going to be, so we’re going to be in the lap of the gods I suppose.
“There’s always a little bit of doubt in the back of your mind, but he’s a special horse. He’ll only run if he can win.”
Capitalist delivered a smart field a three length defeat in the Listed Breeders’ Plate (1000m) on debut last spring, and continued to dominate his age bracket with wins in the Wyong Magic Millions 2.y.o Classic (1100m) and Gold Coast Magic Millions 2.y.o Guineas (1200m).
Clearly requiring a run when second in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) on March 19th, Capitalist re-affirmed himself as his age-group’s standout with his win in the Golden Slipper.
Ladbrokes Australia currently rate Capitalist a $1.50 favourite in 2016 Missile Stakes betting markets.
