Picture: Steve Hart
Current Theo Marks Stakes winner Encap will once more be out to showcase his Golden Eagle credentials when he returns to Rosehill to run within the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes.
Gary Portelli is aiming Encap on the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on November 2 and the Warwick Farm-based coach was thrilled to see the gelding bounce again to profitable type final begin within the Group 2 Theo Marks (1300m) on September 14.
Encap’s Theo Marks victory – his first win because the Group 3 Ming Dynasty High quality a 12 months earlier – got here after the four-year-old had resumed from a spell with an unplaced end within the Present County High quality a couple of weeks earlier.
“It answered our questions, has he come again and is he adequate?” Portelli mentioned of the Theo Marks win.
“I feel he answered each these questions.”
Portelli has given Encap 4 weeks between runs forward of Saturday’s Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) and the coach can’t fault the way in which the son of Capitalist has progressed since his last-start victory.
Encap cruised residence to complete fourth in a 1207m Warwick Farm barrier trial final Monday as a part of his preparation in the direction of Saturday’s race.
“He’s come on stronger than I’ve ever seen him,” Portelli mentioned.
“He’s had a pleasant quiet trial the opposite day and he dragged his method down the straight. He’s pulled up effectively, so he’s going to go there in in all probability peak situation.”
Encap had been among the many early nominations for the Epsom Handicap however Portelli wasn’t eager to move that method, believing the Alan Brown Stakes was the most suitable choice for the gelding third-up with a view to progressing to the Golden Eagle after that.
“It was a pleasant spacing, it’s 1400-metres and it’s $1.5 million,” Portelli mentioned of the Alan Brown Stakes.
“The mile might be his optimum distance, so I wouldn’t wish to go to the mile simply but.
“The 1500-metres of the Golden Eagle is the race I need him peaking once more at, so it’s simply good having that spacing into this after which three weeks once more (to the Golden Eagle).”
Encap’s two profession wins to this point have each been at Rosehill, whereas he has additionally been runner-up in a Group 1 Golden Rose and Group 2 Hobartville Stakes from seven begins at that course.
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