Capitalist still on track for Golden Slipper

Beaten Todman Stakes favourite Capitalist is still on track to take his place in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill in two weeks.

Capitalist is still on track to take his place in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Capitalist is still on track to take his place in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Capitalist was sent out as the $1.22 favourite in the four horse Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last Saturday, but after over racing in the early stages, failed to pick up the Gai Waterhouse trained Kiss And Make Up who led all of the way.

“The first 500m or so he absolutely pulled his head off and basically just ran his race upside down, obviously found wanting the last furlong but that was due to how he over raced early,” co-trainer Paul Snowden told Racing Ahead.

The club’s vet also reported that Capitalist was mildly sore in the off foreleg and the Snowden Team of Peter And Paul will have to provide a vet’s clearance before lining up in the Golden Slipper.

But Paul Snowden said that Written Tycoon colt was showing no sign of soreness and will push on as normal heading towards the world’s richest two year old race.

‘He is fine. The reports from the vets was is he is mildly lame straight after the race,” Paul Snowden said.

“I certainly haven’t seen that in him. I followed him up the hill in the truck and trotted him up when I got home, he seemed okay.”

“And again we went over him from head to toe yesterday morning, he is definitely not lame. If we had to get vets clearance to race we could pass him today.”

“Dad (Peter Snowden) has already spoke to Mr Murrihy (Racing NSW Chief Steward) and told him what we have found with the horse. There is definitely no issue with lameness.”

Paul Snowden said there is no question about the Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner taking his place in the Golden Slipper and he will take great improvement out of the Todman Stakes run.

“Absolutely. We were doing that straight after the race. There has been no second guesses with what we are doing with the horse,” Snowden said.

“He was always going to improve off the back of his run. He had definitely done enough work to win the race.”

“He is going to improve a hell of a lot off Saturday. We are definitely not serking a task on a Slipper berth.”

“I think he has a great chance in the Slipper and barrier draws will be very vital to his chances.”

Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au reacted to Capitalist’s shock defeat by pushing his Golden Slipper price out from $4 second favourite to be on the fourth line of betting at $10.

Todman Stakes winner Kiss And Make Up was rated a $51 before last Saturday, but is now the third favourite at $9 behind the Mick Price trained pair of Extreme Choice at $2.80 and Flying Artie at $6.50.

The Snowdens could have two runners in the Golden Slipper with Defcon also likely to take his place after scoring a last to first win in the Group 3 $275,000 Mercedes-Benz Canberra Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on Sunday.

Defcon is rated a $$17 for the Golden Slipper.

Golden Slipper market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.80 Extreme Choice, $6.50 Flying Artie, $9 Kiss And Make Up, $10 Astern, Capitalist, $17 Defcon, Good Standing, Scarlet Rain, Yankee Rose, $21 Weatherly, $26 Calliope, Honesty Prevails, In The Vanguard, Souchez.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.