Confidence levels still high for Capitalist’s Golden Slipper chances

Team Snowden’s confidence levels are still high for one time favourite Capitalist’s chances in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Capitalist, above, is one of the main chances in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Capitalist, above, is one of the main chances in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Capitalist shot to the top of the Golden Slipper market order after a brilliant win in the $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 9, but a subsequent defeat at the hands of the Gai Waterhouse trained Kiss And Make Up in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 5 saw him slip down order and is currently on the third line of betting at $9 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Following the race, Racing NSW veterinary surgeon reported that Capitalist was mildly sore in the off front foreleg and had subsequent back soreness and would be required to pass a fitness test before taking is place in the Golden Slipper.

Co-trainer Paul Snowden reported that Capitalist has overcome any problem that surfaced after his Todman Stakes defeat and was passed fit by the club’s vet following a solid workout with stablemate Defcon at Randwick on Tuesday morning.

“Our Confidence level is still the same. We haven’t dropped off at all. We know what he can do,” Paul Snowden told Racing Ahead.

“He is fine. He never missed a day’s work and he continued on his normal what we would do with him after a run.”

Snowden trains in partnership with his father Peter and the team treated Capitalist for some minor back soreness and the Written Tycoon colt has responded well, coming through his final gallop at Randwick on Tuesday morning in great order.

“There was no lameness as such. He had a tightness through his mid back. Basically where the end of the saddle sits on his back and through into his pelvis region,” Snowden said.

“That’s been treated accordingly. The ATC vet came and trotted him up on Tuesday morning, he had a real good hit on Tuesday on the course proper and they gave him a clean bill of health to run on Saturday.”

“Even though it might have been an inconvenience after the race last Saturday week, it definitely didn’t inconvenience him at all in his preparation.”

“It is basically just getting the horse right and turning up on the day.”

Capitalist was having his first run for almost two months when he ran second in the four horse Todman Stakes and Paul Snowden partly blames his defeated to the colt over racing due to his freshness.

“He raced quite fresh in himself. He just had an off day,” Snowden said.

“He is not an aggressive horse in his races and he has got a massive turn of foot when he does get it right.”

Team Snowden will also saddle up Black Opal Stakes winner Defcon, $21, and $201 outsider Quick Feet as they aim to win their first Golden Slipper together as a training partnership.

But they have already tasted Golden Slipper success with super colt Sepoy in 2011 when Peter Snowden was head trainer for Darley and Paul was his foreman.

And the Snowdens will be hoping history can repeat itself after Sepoy bounced back to win the Golden Slipper after being beaten as a short priced favourite in the Todman Stakes at his previous start.

Golden Slipper market order: $3 Extreme Choice, $5 Flying Artie, $9 Capitalist, $10 Kiss And Make Up, $11 Astern, $13 Good Standing, $19 Calliope, $21 Defcon, Scarlet Rain, $26 Yankee Rose, $31 Telperion,  $41 Star Turn, $51 Honesty Prevails, $101 French Fern, $151 Sweet Sherry, $201 Quick Feet, Moqueen,

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.