Capitalist Back On His Pedestal When It Counts Most

There will be hard luck stories aplenty after the sixtieth running of the $3,500,000 Group 1 Longines Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens but not from the connections of one-time favourite Capitalist who prevailed under a superb ride by Blake Shinn.

The first shock came when the favourite Extreme Choice missed the start and was a clear last on settling.

The Magic Millions winner Capitalist settled three pairs back on the fence from his inside barrier as Thomas Huet set sensible fractions up front on the surprise leader Sweet Cherry.

When Shinn pressed the button the response was immediate and Capitalist hit the lead inside the 300 metres before holding the challenge of the fast finishing Yankee Rose (All American) by a half- length with the heavily backed Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third just ahead of Godolphin's Teperion. The $3.20 favourite Extreme Choice was never out of trouble finished eighth. (all photos Lisa Grimm)

Capitalist has similar form lines to Peter Snowden's previous Golden Slipper winner Sepoy.

While Sepoy won all four starts before being beaten in the Todman Stakes, Capitalist was unbeaten in three starts before his defeat by Kiss And Make Up in the Todman Stakes.

There was over 17 lengths turnaround in the Slipper as Kiss and Make Up struggled home ahead of only his stablemate Scarlet Rain.

For Blake Shinn it was redemption for missing the ride on Golden Slipper winner Sebring due to suspension.

"Words can't describe it, I'm so emotional. This is the best feeling ever!" Shinn said.

"They wrote him off but I have to take my hat off to the team at home, Snowden Racing, Peter and Paul never wrote this horse off after his last start defeat.

"You just have to have the faith and go in confident into every race.

"Full credit to this horse's ability – he backed up from the Magic Millions and came here today and I was just saying come on mate, just one more performance and he did it for me and I'm just so proud.

"This is one of the greatest races in the world and to be able to win it, I just can't thank everyone enough."

"It was a great run in transit, they went fast and I let Flying Artie cross me three back the fence he settled so well.

"I was just waiting for my options assessing around the 600m and he really sprinted hard.

I just want to say James Harron put his neck on the line buying these two-year-olds. This is his first crop and he's won the Golden Slipper and he had Defcon in the race as well so full credit to him and the owners that are in these horses.

"It's fantastic to have this one with Paul beside me.

"He was a big part of Sepoy as well we shared that moment but with our own identity is just outstanding," Snowden said.

We started from scratch and had a lot of people to find were just so lucky to get those people behind us and get us to where we are today

"I'm not sure how they could put a horse from $2.80 to $11 after one run, but I'm not one to spruik horses up. I learned that from John Hawkes. You let your horses do the talking for you and rather than me beat up on everybody I thought the best way is to just come out and produce on race day and that's what he did in aces today.

"He showed right from his first start that he was special and he was racing in restricted class as far as Magic Millions horses go, so you have to wait and see and because he got beaten the other day they didn't think that form was up to scratch.

"The way he's been working, the quality of work he does and the way he goes about his job. His work on Tuesday was great. I'm just so glad it came off today.

"Today's the day, he's done a great job and let's just soak up the moment.

I love what I do and would not swap it the quids I like to be busy these days are very, very rewarding."

A $165,000 Magic Millions purchase for James Harron Bloodstock/ Snowden Racing from the Daandine Stud draft, Capitalist advances his record to 4 wins and 1 second from 5 starts for earnings of $3,508,700.

His stud future has already been decided as his owners include Newgate Farm.

The son of Written Tycoon is the second foal winning Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) mare Kitalpha a half-sister to Listed winner Brayroan (Zabeel) and the stakes-placed Ekali (Torrential) out of the Group III Blue Diamond Preview winner Compulsion (Danehill) a sister to Golden Slipper winner Merlene and a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Miss Pennymoney (Brocco).

Tragically Kitalpha died on October 2 last year three weeks after producing a filly by Smart Missile.

Capitalist becomes the first Group 1 winner for Woodside Park's popular stallion Written Tycoon who vaults to the top of the 2yo sire standings.