Racing shorts: Capitalist to come under vet scrutiny
Royal Tithe booked herself a place in the winter stakes races with a Doomben win, but trainer John Zielke was equally pleased with stablemate and runner-up Stryking Stunnah.
The favourite Royal Tithe ($2.25) gave Zielke his fifth two-year-old win of the season when she beat Stryking Stunnah ($8.50) by 1-3/4 lengths with two lengths to Royal Hussy ($12) in the Mary Valley Handicap.
Zielke said Royal Tithe would now go for a spell before being brought back for the winter carnival.
“She will have a couple of starts in the Listed lead-up races and then tackle the (Group Two) Queensland Sires’ and the (Group One) JJ Atkins Stakes,” he said.
“Royal Tithe is a good tough horse who has picked up a cheque at each of her six starts. She will be off to Melbourne after the winter and I think you will see a very good filly in the spring.”
He is also looking to the future for Stryking Stunnah who led into the straight.
“At one stage I thought she was going to beat Royal Tithe,” Zielke said.
“I think she will have a real future over more ground.”
Chris Waller strengthens Sydney Cup chances with Libran
Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller has strengthened his Sydney Cup hand with Libran staking his claims in the Randwick City Stakes.
Libran joins stablemates Preferment and Who Shot Thebarman on $8 for the Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 9 with Our Ivanhowe the other of four equal favourites.
Waller said Saturday’s Listed win over 2000m was an important milestone for the former European.
“It’s good for him going ahead to the Sydney Cup,” Waller said.
“He will probably run in the Chairman’s over 2600 metres next and that will get him ready for the Sydney Cup.”
Brenton Avdulla had Libran ($3.90) better than midfield and the gelding showed plenty of fight to beat the favourite Allergic ($2.70) by a head.
“He relaxed and found the line really well which is a good sign heading to the Sydney Cup,” Avdulla said.
Maurus ($7) finished third, three lengths from the winner for Auvray ($26) and eye-catching fourth at his first start for 18 months.
“It was a very good run after such a long time off,” jockey Tye Angland said.
“He can build to the Sydney Cup.”
Capitalist to come under vet scrutiny
Deposed Golden Slipper favourite Capitalist will have to pass a veterinary examination if he is to take his place in the field for the $3.5 million race.
The colt suffered his first defeat in four starts when beaten by Kiss And Make Up in the Todman Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Racing NSW chief vet Craig Suann reported to stewards that Capitalist was mildly lame when he trotted him up after the race, more so in his off foreleg.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden said he had never had any problems with him.
“He looked fine when I saw him after the race,” Snowden said.
“I watched him walk around.
“He has never had any issues – ever.
“My assessment of him was that he lacked race fitness and he had a good blow after the race.”
Nevertheless, stewards ruled Snowden must produce a veterinary certificate before the colt races again.
Capitalist has blown from $3.50 to $11 for the Golden Slipper in two weeks while Kiss And Make Up has firmed from $51 to $8.
Blue Diamond Stakes winner Extreme Choice is now the clear $3.50 top pick ahead of his Mick Price-trained stablemate Flying Artie who ran second in Melbourne’s feature two-year-old race last week.