Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner and Golden Slipper favourite Capitalist is a noted omission from the second declarations for the Group 1 $1.4m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 27.
Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Capitalist, above, is a noted omission from the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2nd declarations. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden have elected to concentrate on preparing Capitalist for the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19, but still have four two years in contention for the Caulfield Group 1.
The Snowden trained Gravitate, Defcon, Quick Feet and Reinforced are among the two hundred and nine two year olds left in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes at second declaration time.
Capitalist made an one act affair for the $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast last Saturday with his two and half lengths win with jockey Blake Shinn only having to steer the Written Tycoon colt around the tight Gold Coast circuit.
The Magic Millions win was Capitalist’s third victory from three starts and keep his unbeaten record intact.
Peter Snowden is certain there is still more improvement left in the colt and had no hesitation in declaring him a top Golden Slipper contender after his Magic Millions preparation was interrupted when the colt developed a temperature in the lead up to last Saturday’s race.
“I tried to make out that it (elevated temperature) didn’t worry me but it did and we dodged a big bullet there,” Snowden said.
“It could’ve come against us big time but luckily we didn’t have any treatment because it came down by itself and from then on he never had another falter.”
“He is an exciting horse and let’s hope he’s a horse to look forward to in the future.
“It (The Golden Slipper) is doable and I was very mindful of it because this is only his second run back from a spell.
“There is room to move because he was ready for today but I think there is more to come.”
The Lindsay Park training team of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig have the biggest contingent left in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes, with twenty-three youngsters still vying for a final spot.
The Godolphin Team, prepared by trainer John O’Shea, has twenty two year olds among the second declarations while high profile Caulfield trainer Mick Price has eighteen, including the early favourite Extreme Choice.
Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller is also in the mix with ten, one ahead of Team Hawkes with nine while Gai Waterhouse has five.
Third declarations for the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes is at 12 noon on February 2nd with the final field being declared at 9am on Tuesday February 23rd, 2016.
Early Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 Extreme Choice, $7 Astern, $9 Defcon, $10 Manolo Blahnig, $12 So Serene, $13 Hell Of An Effort, $16 Calliope, Concealer, Dalradian, Power Trip, The Seductress.
