It only seemed fitting that Peter and Paul Snowden, who trained Golden Slipper winner Capitalist to Champion 2YO honours, should also put the polish on his very first winner with exciting colt Captivant saluting on debut at Randwick on Saturday.
Captivant caught the eye when winning his only previous trial at Randwick on October 12 and relished the tougher assignment of raceday competition.
Allowed to find his feet early by Jason Collett, he unleashed an explosive turn of foot over the final furlong to power past his rivals and win the ATC Victory Vein Plate (1000m) by two lengths running away from Maurice (Jpn) colt Akihiro.
“Capitalist is really stamping his stock, they are so mature in mind and body,” said a delighted Paul Snowden.
“This colt has got so much more to come, he’s so raw he’s frozen!
“We won’t make any decisions right now, although the $1million Golden Gift is in three weeks time.
“We’ll see how his feed tin is tomorrow and how he comes through the run, but I predict he’ll pull up well.”
A $550,000 Magic Millions purchase for China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock/Starlight Racing from the Ashleigh Thoroughbreds draft, Captivant was the fourth most expensive colt sired by Capitalist from his first crop.
Bred by Senga Bissett, he has a speed pedigree being from Speedboat, a half-sister to stakes-winning sprinter Cross Current and to the dams of Group I winner Crown Prosecutor and Group II winner Willow Creek.
It’s also the family of Group I sprinter River Dove and Group II winning sire Headwater.
Speedboat has a yearling colt by Hellbent is back in foal to the same sire.
A Champion 2YO by Written Tycoon, Capitalist stands at Newgate Farm at a fee of $44,000 this spring.
