Trainer Peter Snowden–with son Paul as his foreman–recorded a remarkable feat in 2011 when winning every 2-year-old Group 1 in Australia with Darley's Sepoy (Aus) (Elusive Quality) and Helmet (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Now training as a partnership with a public stable, the Snowdens have another 2-year-old they can dream big with in the form of Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {GB}), who extended his unbeaten streak to three with a facile score in the A$2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic Saturday. Breaking like a shot from barrier two, Capitalist found himself about third on the fence down the backstretch and, after nearly being sandwiched out of his position as the false rail fell away, switched to the outside for the run into the turn. He found himself prematurely in front while two-wide midway on the turn and never looked like relinquishing his position, drawing away under mostly hand urging and hitting the wire under wraps by Blake Shinn.
“He is just a wonderful 2-year-old and up there with the best I've ridden,” Shinn said. “He flew the gates today and the key was to keep him out of trouble and because he jumped so well he was contesting the lead pretty early. We were in a line of four and he was there comfortable but I thought if I gave away that spot there was a chance I could get pushed three pairs back so I had to hold my position. As soon as I got him off the rail it was smooth sailing from there.”
Twelve months ago nearly to the day, Capitalist was parading across the street from the Gold Coast Turf Club at the Magic Millions Bundall complex before selling to agent James Harron and the Snowdens for A$165,000. Now with three starts under his girth, he has more than earned that purchase price back with A$2,104,200 in the bank. Debuting in Randwick's prestigious Listed Breeders' Plate Oct. 3, Capitalist scampered home by three lengths to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status in the same event that produced last year's Rising Star and G1 Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, as well as the likes of Pierro, Sebring, Snitzel and Choisir since the turn of the century. Capitalist was equally impressive when taking Wyong's Magic Millions 2yo Classic Dec. 17, but his path to this event wasn't entirely clear thereafter. He missed a barrier trial later in the month after spiking a temperature, but signaled his readiness with an 800-meter gallop between races at Randwick Jan. 1, and his fortunes appeared to be firmly back on track when he drew barrier two for this.
Capitalist firmed into A$3.50 from A$6.00 for the Golden Slipper, and Peter Snowden confirmed that would be his target.
“That was everything you want to see,” Snowden said. “He jumped well, probably better than I thought he would and he showed tremendous gate speed which he hasn't really been doing because we haven't asked him to do it. I think Blake was super confident from the 700-meter pole because he doesn't normally do what he did there to pull himself to the front.”
“It [the Golden Slipper] is doable and I was very mindful of it because this is only his second run back from a spell,” Snowden added. “There is room to move because he was ready for today but I think there is more to come.”
The feature win capped a good day at the office for the Snowdens, who kicked off the card with a win by Wolf Cry (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the A$230,000 maiden.
Capitalist's dam, Kitalpha, has a yearling filly by Real Saga (Aus) who was bought by Harron at the Gold Coast sale Tuesday for A$200,000. Kitalpha died last year after producing a filly by Smart Missile (Aus).
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic carries a A$500,000 bonus for the first four across the line owned exclusively by women. The recipients were as follows: Faraway Town (sixth, A$325,000); Zelady's Night Out (ninth, A$100,000); Highland Beat (10th, A$50,000); and Rainy Day Woman (12th, A$25,000).
Saturday, Gold Coast, Australia
JEEP MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC-Restricted Listed, A$2,000,000, GCTC, 1-9, 2yo, 1200mT, 1:09.29, gd.
1–CAPITALIST (AUS), 125, C, 2, Written Tycoon (Aus)–Kitalpha
(NZ), by Fusaichi Pegasus. (A$165,000 yrl '15 MMGCYS)
O-James Harron Bloodstock, Newgate S F, Horse Ventures, Est
E G T Bateman, Mrs B C Bateman, Doyles Breeding & Racing,
Rockingham Thoroughbreds, J A & Mrs F A Ingham, Love
Racing, D & L Alford, Dr M A Holland, G1g Racing & Breeding
& D Saab; B-Daandine Pastoral Co Pty Ltd; T-Peter & Paul
Snowden; A$1,200,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0,
A$2,104,200.
2–Nikitas (Aus), 125, c, 2, Snitzel (Aus)–Mine Game (Aus), by
General Nediym (Aus). (A$280,000 yrl '15 MMGCYS). O-D H T
Devine, Mrs D M Devine, N Morgan, Mrs J G Morgan, E A
Galante & Mrs J A Galante; B-Gilgai Farm; T-K C Wood;
A$370,000.
3–Candika (Aus), 121, f, 2, Sebring (Aus)–Divya (Aus), by
Danzero (Aus). (A$100,000 yrl '15 MMGCYS) O-Proven
Thoroughbreds (Mgr: A Walter), Niugini Racing (Mgr: R
Allport), J Cross, G Kirby, J Parry, Mrs G Parry, T D Hughes,
Miss K Hasson, S Roberts, Mrs J Peck, Mrs P Goddard, A
McMaster, Mrs E McMaster, V Corry, G Macandrews, W
Glass, K Richmond, Mrs J Martin, M Hunter & L Gray; B-Kia
Ora Stud; T-Steven O'Dea; A$180,000.
Margins: 2HF, 3, 3 1/4. Odds: 1.40, 11.00, 26.00.
Also Ran: Niccolance (Aus), Mooshakissa (Aus), Faraway Town (Aus), Slumber Party (Aus), Zafina (Aus), Zelady's Night Out (Aus), Highland Beat (Aus), Rare Occurrence (Aus), Rainy Day Woman (Aus), Claro El Banco (Aus), Punishing (Aus), Party Pardee (Aus), Just Orm (Aus). Click for the Racenet.com.au chart.
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