An eleventh-hour decision to pull Captivant out of the spelling paddock has proved to be a masterstroke after the colt delivered a first G1 win for his sire Capitalist in the Champagne Stakes.
While the 1600m feature was initially on Capitvant’s schedule, trainers Peter And Paul Snowden decided to freshen him up for a Queensland campaign after he was comfortably beaten by Anamoe in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.
But when news broke last week that Anamoe had gone for a break, part-owner Henry Field revealed the Snowdens quickly put Captivant back into work.
“The guys started to gallop him on the treadmill the minute Anamoe was scratched and what a great call to bring him back in,” Field said.
The Champagne victory was a success on two levels for Field, who along with having a share in the colt is also the managing director of Newgate Farm, which stands Capitalist.
Peter Snowden trained the first season stallion to win the 2016 Golden Slipper and said producing his first G1 winner as a sire was special.
“He was a great horse to us and to see his stock going to the races and winning like they are and running like they are makes us very proud,” Snowden said.
James Mcdonald made the most of Captivant’s ($4.80) inside draw and the colt was able to hold Hilal ($4.20 fav) at bay by a neck.
Converge ($5) did best of the rest another 1-1/2 lengths away.
“Barriers win races. He drew the perfect marble to switch off back on the fence and did no work,” McDonald said.
“He’s got a very good turn of foot. The mile is as far as he wants though, to be fair.”
A Brisbane carnival tilt is now off the agenda for Captivant, who will instead be spelled with a view to the spring.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au