Money talks and punters heard that loud and clear at Ascot last Saturday when Capitola firmed from $8 into $5 before a comprehensive victory on debut in the Initial Plate (1000m)
Capitola (2g Capitalist – Rio Del Mar by Magnus) is trained by Luke Fernie and was too good for race favourite and stablemate Kings Court (Time To Reign) after sitting three-wide from an outside gate for Chris Parnham.
“I got it wrong but the punters didn’t,” assistant-trainer Brian Carey confessed. “He’s shown ability but it took him a while to learn. He had to work today but looked comfortable in running and cruised home in the straight. He’s a professional and the further he goes the better.
“We have a 2yo team of about 40 and the four here today are obviously the early ones.” Fernie was also represented by unplaced youngsters Crampin’ My Style (Ghaiyyath) and Hagrid (Long Leaf) in the opening juvenile race of the season in Perth.
Capitola (Photo / Western Racepix) was bred and sold by Amelia Park’s Peter Walsh in partnership with Peter & Mark Chadwick for $110,000 at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions and he kept a share in a large syndicate that banked $63,000 including $22,000 in Westspeed Bonuses.
His dam Rio Del Mar (Magnus) had been purchased as a foal for $20,000 at the 2017 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale by the trio and she won a G3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) at Ascot in a career limited to five starts.
Her current foal is a Playing God colt born on September 30. Second-dam Costanera (Encosta De Lago) is an unraced three-quarter sister to Titanic Jack (G1 VRC Emirates Stakes).
“He was a bit hot pre-race and we had to make the best of an awkward draw but I was happy in the run,” Parnham reported. “I didn’t want to burn him too early and he let down too well for anything to come from behind. He’s quite a nice type and will mature into a level-headed horse.”
Amelia Park’s Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) will to do battle with Australian Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni in the King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. She was last seen last month when a closing second to Makarena (Snitzel) in the G2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill.
“Amelia’s Jewel is certainly looking for the mile now,” co-trainer Anabelle Neasham said. “Tommy (Berry) felt that after her last run and she is probably a horse that will suit a high pressure race. The more pressure in the race, the better for her.”
Peter Walsh will be at Randwick with his wife Annie and two daughters. “It’s a privilege and a massive thrill that our mare has qualified to run in a such great race,” he told the West Australian Newspaper. “We’re excited and we will be happy just to see her run well.”
All going well, the Group 1 VRC Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday, November 2 is her next assignment at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
