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The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained galloper raced on the speed for jockey Blake Shinn and was a class above his opposition, racing away at the top of the straight for a two and a half length win over Nikitas and Candika.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden was thrilled with the dominant performance and said there was little doubt that Capitlaist was one of the most gifted two-year-olds he’s worked with.
“That was everything you want to see,” Snowden said.
“He jumped well, probably better than I thought he would and he showed tremendous gate speed which he hasn’t really been doing because we haven’t asked him to do it.
“I think Blake was super confident from the 700 metre pole because he doesn’t normally do what he did there to pull himself to the front.”
Despite playing down the impact of an elevated temperature a week out from today’s feature, Snowden admitted that he held concerns about the colt’s chances of making it too the Gold Coast.
He said the son of Written Tycoon would now be set for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill in April in an attempt to emulate the double achieved previously by Dance Hero and Phelan Ready.
“I tried to make out that it (elevated temperature) didn’t worry me but it did and we dodged a big bullet there,” Snowden said.
“It could’ve come against us big time but luckily we didn’t have any treatment because it came down by itself and from then on he never had another falter.”
“He is an exciting horse and let’s hope he’s a horse to look forward to in the future.
“It (The Golden Slipper) is doable and I was very mindful of it because this is only his second run back from a spell.
“There is room to move because he was ready for today but I think there is more to come.”
Shinn was in awe of Capitalist after the win, rating the colt alongside the best gallopers he’s partnered.
The jockey said he rode the two-year-old as the best horse in the race, opting to eliminate any possibility of being held up inside runners by racing on the speed.
“He is just a wonderful two-year-old and up there with the best I’ve ridden,” Shinn said.
“He flew the gates today and the key was to keep him out of trouble and because he jumped so well he was contesting the lead pretty early.
“We were in a line of four and he was there comfortable but I thought if I gave away that spot there was a chance I could get pushed three pairs back so I had to hold my position.
“As soon as I got him off the rail it was smooth sailing from there.”
Capitalist’s half-sister, a filly by Real Saga, was purchased for $200,000 by James Harron during the week from Daandine Stud.
Harron will be hoping lightning strikes having purchased Capitalist from the same draft a year ago for $165,000.
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