The Listed Makers Mark Hinkler Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday was fought out by the stablemates, King Kapa and Ef Troop.
Under a positive ride by Ben Thompson, the Tony Gollan-trained Capitalist gelding King Kappa earned a maiden stakes success when holding off Ef Troop (Spirit Of Boom) by three-quarters of a length. Ranges (Shooting To Win) a long-head back in third.
King Kapa has been a revelation since transferring to Gollan, winning five of his seven starts.
“He’s been a fantastic acquisition to our stable. I want to thank the team at Strong Bloodstock for sending him up to us,” Gollan said.
“He’d been going through his grades and returned with an eye to this carnival. Things didn’t work out too well his first start back when the draw sort of pulled him up, and didn’t know what was going on.
“Then back to the trials, a really good run the other day in stakes grade at Doomben, so we came here confident. It was a good field, but he put them away and did a great job.
“I didn’t think he’d be able to lead and win this race. There looked a lot of pressure on paper, but Ben held his nerve and held that rail.
“There were plenty of horses with him the whole way, and I suggest that once I put him away and bring him back for the summer carnival, he will be a sprint star this year.
“When he came to us, he didn’t look like he does now. He’s really strengthening up, and I can’t thank the team enough. He will be good for the team and the stable for the next few years.”
A $50,000 purchase for Sterling Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, King Kapa advances his record to six wins, two seconds, and two thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $304,225.
Bred by Belinda Bateman, Kig Kapa is a half-brother to stakes-placed Churning (Lonhro), and is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the stakes-winning Jet Spur mare Emmalene.
A $175,000 purchase for Marina Thoroughbred Investments from the 2021 Inglis May (Late) Online Sale, Emmalene is a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James.
First Light Racing / Busuttin Racing shelled out $170,000 for Emmalene’s Russian Revolution colt consigned by Newgate to the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He is named Revalene and is in training with Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young.
Emmalene has a yearling filly by Pariah named Queen Aria and a weanling colt by Trapeze Artist.
King Kapa is the 14th stakes-winner for Newgate Farm’s Capitalist.
.jpg)
