Picture: Steve Hart
Encap is on a Golden Eagle path after downing a wise subject within the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill.
Beneath-rated gelding Encap has shed his tag as a perennial bridesmaid with a gutsy victory within the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill to verify his Golden Eagle credentials.
Coming into Saturday, the Gary Portelli-trained four-year-old had received only one race, the Ming Dynasty High quality on the corresponding program 12 months in the past, however he had been aggressive in high firm, together with when runner-up in final yr’s Golden Rose.
“Now he has cemented himself as not the bridesmaid anymore,” Portelli mentioned.
“He’s run a few seconds and thirds at this stage, it was exhausting to get a superb strikerate if you win your maiden at Group Three stage.
“We’re aiming in direction of a Golden Eagle, so I believe he’s in good order proper now. We’ll sit down and work out this system after seeing what he’s performed right this moment, however the grand ultimate is the Golden Eagle.”
Portelli admitted he went into Saturday’s Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) cautious after Encap carried out below-par first-up.
However after giving the horse a light-weight week and counting on his report of bettering with a run beneath his belt, Portelli’s perseverance was rewared.
“It was good to see him bounce again,” he mentioned.
“He was a bit plain first-up. I gave him a superb gallop final Saturday and have performed little or no with him all week. I used to be simply hoping.
“He put some good horses to the sword there and ran superb time.”
Partnered by Jason Collett, Encap ($7) completed exhausting to nail Bases Loaded ($4 fav) by an extended head with Increase Torque ($6.50) one other 1-1/4 lengths away third in an impressive Kosciuszko trial.
Collett is assured Encap is deserving of being directed in direction of the Golden Eagle (1500m).
“You’ve received to purpose there as a four-year-old, that’s the race, and this can be a good start line to get in direction of it,” Collett mentioned.
“He’s fairly small and a bit unassuming, you take a look at him and there’s not quite a lot of him however he’s beginning to fill into that small body.
“His capacity, he’s received quite a lot of it, and that was nice to see right this moment.”
Doncaster Mile winner Celestial Legend ($6.50) completed eighth, 2-1/2 lengths from the winner, with jockey Kerrin Mcevoy saying he would strip a lot fitter for the hitout.
“He simply confirmed he wanted the run there right this moment,” McEvoy mentioned
“ start line to blow the cobwebs out. I simply felt him peak the final 150 yards of that.”
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