Winx
might have been the headliner at the Randwick trials on Friday, but star colts
Capitalist and El Divino went toe to toe in their heat while dark horse
Mediterranean showed he too can be in the mix come spring.
Prior to the running of Capitalist's trial there was drama aplenty when the
John O'Shea-trained filly Calliope launched into the air prior to the barriers
opening, busting through the gates and also setting off the Gai
Waterhouse-trained pair, the colt El Divino and filly Scarlet Rain.
El Divino and Scarlet Rain also broke through the barriers, but the three
horses were eased down by their riders within 100 metres. Stewards cleared the
trio to trial but when reloaded, Calliope reared again, got herself cast, and
was scratched.
At the third attempt the starter finally sent them on their way, the Waterhouse
pair Scarlet Rain and El Divino set the pace with Capitalist settling back a
couple of lengths from the lead.
On straightening Capitalist had pulled his way up to be outside Scarlet Rain
and El Divino with the two colts extending clear of the filly. Hugh Bowman
aboard El Divino was the first to get busy while McEvoy was working in rhythm
with Capitalist.
Inside the last 100m, Capitalist was starting to gain the upper hand over his
rival but when shut down late, El Divino, still under riding, made it
interesting in the final few strides, beaten a head on the line with 4-1/2
lengths back to Scarlet Rain in third.
The brilliant son of Written Tycoon covered the 850 metre trip in 49.9 seconds,
which was 6/10ths of a second faster than Smart Volatility won the previous
trial that contained superstar Winx (fourth).
Part-owned by Newgate Farm, Golden Slipper hero Capitalist is expected to
return next Saturday in the Group III ATC Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick with
his trainers Peter and Paul Snowden electing to take on the older horses at
weight-for-age.
Winx's half-brother El Divino was having his first trial since dead heating
with Astern in the Group III ATC Kindergarten Stakes.
The colt has had a change of ownership since then with Widden Stud securing an
interest in the highly promising unbeaten son of Snitzel.
Carrying the same colours and running for many of the same owners as Capitalist
is the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Smart Missile colt Mediterranean, who is
closely related to Capitalist.
Just off the good horses in two starts in stakes races during the autumn,
Mediterranean cast off maiden status with an impressive Canterbury win on July
6.
He powered to the line in his 1050 metre trial to win by half a length over
promising Godolphin runner Impending and will be fit and ready when he returns
to race day.
Click here to see all the trial results.