The German based stallion Toylsome (GB) is hardly a
household name but we may be hearing more of him in future if Ciaron Maher's impressive
Listed ATC Winter Cup (2400m) winner Kapour (IRE) continues to improve.
Sent north by his trainer in search of his favoured heavy
ground at Rosehill Gardens, Kapour had an uncontested lead under Kerrin McEvoy
and he was never seriously threatened.
He was throttled down in the closing stages to defeat the Gai
Waterhouse-trained Bonfire (GB) 4-1/2 lengths with Ipswich Cup winner Danchai
(GB) a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart).
Imports filled the first five places in the 7-horse field.
A winner of three of his 7 starts in France including the
Listed Saint-Cloud Prix Maurice Caillault and runner-up in the Group II Prix
Noailles at Longchamp, Kapour had not run a place in his first four Australian
starts before his Winter Cup triumph.
McEvoy said the 5yo gelding should be competitive in better
races.
"He probably didn't relax completely underneath me but
we got away with a nice enough lead," McEvoy said.
"He gave me a really good feel over the last two
furlongs.
"He's shown some quality there and is better than an
off-season winter horse.
"Ciaron sent him up here looking for some wet ground
and he duly got the job done and he did it in nice fashion."
Maher said it's likely next month's Listed Grafton Cup
(2350m) will be the next target for Kapour.
Often used a pacemaker for his champion stablemate Manduro, Toylsome
(GB) (Cadeaux Genereux x Treasure Trove, by The Minstrel), was a multiple
stakes-winner winner in his native Germany who had his moment in the sun at the
ripe old age of eight when he won the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.
Coincidentally, Manduro is the sire of Winter Cup runner-up Bonfire (GB).
Kapour (IRE) is out of the stakes-winning Monsun mare Kitcat
a sister to Group III winners Kalia and Karavel and a half-sister to Group 1
winner Konigstiger (Tiger Hill).
Third dam Gull Nook (Mill Reef) won the Group II Ribblesdale
Stakes at Royal Ascot and is the dam of Rich Hill Stud's grand stallion Pentire
(GB).
