Danica Guy chases Vinery Stud Stakes glory

When she started her career more than a decade ago, Danica Guy never intended to make training racehorses a full-time job.

Now she is preparing to saddle up her first Australian runner Capella in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Guy said the filly had settled in well after arriving in Sydney on Monday night.

The Vinery Stud is the first leg of Capella’s Australian tour, with the main target the $1 million Australian Oaks.

“It’s not the grand final, but it would be encouraging to see her race well to see that she’s travelled across well,” Guy said.

Capella was fourth in a blanket finish in the New Zealand Derby at her last start.

She narrowly beat home the Donna Logan-trained Valley Girl who will also contest the Vinery Stud.

Capella defeated Valley Girl in her maiden black-type success, the Eight Carat Classic on Boxing Day.

While the riches of Sydney’s autumn carnival are now firmly in Guy’s sight, the stable’s ascension has not happened overnight.

A former competitive equestrian rider, Guy moved to Matamata, south of Auckland, more than 10 years ago to start her racing career.

“It wasn’t my intention to become a full-blown racing trainer. It’s just evolved that way,” Guy said.

Guy now has two Group One wins under her belt, as well as the highly promising Capella among her team of 20 horses currently in work.

The filly is raced by prominent New Zealand owner Gary Harding.

“She was one of his home-bred horses. She basically came to me as a green, late two-year-old,” Guy said.

Guy said Capella’s potential was clear after the filly’s first trial, with star New Zealand hoop Opie Bosson lavishing praise on the horse.

“Opie got off and said ‘this thing’s a freak’,” Guy said.

“She’s very natural and a great mover.”

Bosson will again be on Capella in the Vinery Stud in which she is rated a $15 chance.

VRC Oaks winner Jameka is the $3.60 favourite while former New Zealander Risque is on the next line of betting at $3.80.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Happy Hannah, the first emergency in the race, is a $6 chance.

 

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au

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