Picture: Steve Hart
Encap is on a Golden Eagle path after downing a sensible 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 prime firm, together with when runner-up in final yr’s Golden Rose.
“Now he has cemented himself as not the bridesmaid anymore,” Portelli stated.
“He’s run a few seconds and thirds at this degree, it was onerous to get a superb strikerate once you win your maiden at Group Three degree.
“We’re aiming in the direction of a Golden Eagle, so I feel he’s in good order proper now. We’ll sit down and work out this system after seeing what he’s completed in the present day, however the grand last 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 document of bettering with a run underneath his belt, Portelli’s perseverance was rewared.
“It was good to see him bounce again,” he stated.
“He was a bit plain first-up. I gave him a superb gallop final Saturday and have completed 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 onerous to nail Bases Loaded ($4 fav) by a protracted head with Increase Torque ($6.50) one other 1-1/4 lengths away third in an excellent Kosciuszko trial.
Collett is assured Encap is deserving of being directed in the direction of the Golden Eagle (1500m).
“You’ve acquired to goal there as a four-year-old, that’s the race, and it is a good start line to get in the direction of it,” Collett stated.
“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 acquired a number of it, and that was nice to see in the present day.”
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 in the present day,” McEvoy stated
“A superb start line to blow the cobwebs out. I simply felt him peak the final 150 yards of that.”
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