Manikato Stakes 2016: Capitalist takes on older horses

Capitalist

Golden Slipper winner Capitalist will attempt to become the latest three-year-old to upstage the older sprinters in Melbourne this season when he tries to emulate Sepoy in the Manikato Stakes.

Peter Snowden prepared Golden Slipper winner Sepoy who is the most recent three-year-old to win the Group One Manikato at Moonee Valley during the colt’s unbeaten spring campaign in 2011.

Snowden, who now trains in partnership with his son Paul, has Capitalist in Friday night’s Manikato (1200m), with the colt out to bounce back having been beaten in his two starts this season.

Already this spring, Extreme Choice has beaten the older horses at weight-for-age in the Group One Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley while Star Turn was dominant in the Group Two Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.

“I thought long and hard about it and I just thought it sets up well the way the three-year-olds have been racing against the older horses. That weight relief is very good,” Snowden said.

“I know he’s meeting some good horses, but he’s a good sprinter.”

Snowden said the Mick Price-trained Extreme Choice’s Moir win played some role in the decision.

“It did but I had it in my mind for a while and (part-owner) James Harron agreed that he thought it was a good fit for him at this time, where he’s at,” he said.

“If he could bowl it over, it would mean a lot for him. He’s going well.”

Capitalist carries 53kg, 5.5kg less than the older males including favourite Chautauqua and 3.5kg less than the mare English.

The colt has galloped twice in the past week at Moonee Valley and has pleased jockey Kerrin McEvoy who said he has moved well around the circuit.

The field of 11 includes 10 individual Group One winners.

“He needs to get back to winning ways, but he seems well in himself,” McEvoy said.

“I’m not worried about Moonee Valley for him.”

Group One winner English, who has finished fifth in The Shorts and fourth in the Premiere Stakes this campaign, has pleased co-trainer Gai Waterhouse in a couple of Moonee Valley gallops in the past week.

“I think she’ll fight the finish out,” Waterhouse said.

“It’s a hard race to win. Group Ones always are. The Valley is always hard the first time around racing there, but she’s a very uncomplicated mare and gets on with the job.

“She’s ready to pounce.”

 

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!