Trainer Kelly Schweida won’t set the bar too high for Cape Kidnappers during the winter carnival despite an easy win in the Chief De Beers Handicap at Doomben on Saturday,
Bouncing back from a disappointing first-up effort, Cape Kidnappers, the $2.70 favourite, gave jockey Damian Browne an armchair ride, cruising home to win by 2-1/4 lengths in race-record time.
Adebisi ($12) held on to run second with Excellantes ($12) a short neck away third.
Because Cape Kidnappers has been plagued with leg injuries, Schweida decided not to push the gelding to chase Group One assignments this campaign.
“Races like the Healy or Eye Liner Stakes that are just off the top level would be ideal for him,” Schweida said.
A renowned hard marker of his horses, Schweida admits he has a soft spot for Cape Kidnappers.
“He’s my favourite horse and I’d never do the wrong thing by him because he means a lot to me,” he said.
Schweida said Cape Kidnappers had taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run.
“He was three deep all the way first-up and because of his legs the only benefit he gets fitness-wise is from trials and races, not trackwork,” he said.
“He pulled up big after that race but he was a lot fitter today.”
Browne was confident Cape Kidnappers had the race in his keeping when he was travelling smoothly behind Adebisi.
“He gives you a lovely feel and I was surprised he broke the race record because he seemed to be doing it well within himself,” he said.