Luckless when a fast-finishing third in the Group III Up And Coming Stakes, the Capitalist gelding Encap finally received all the breaks when shedding his maiden status in Saturday’s Group III ACY Securities Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Rosehill.
Ridden by Brett Prebble for Gary Portelli, Encap defeated the Tavistock colt Ceolwulf by a length and three-quarters with three-quarters of a length back to Encap’s Up And Coming conqueror Tom Kitten (Harry Angel), a fast finishing third.
Encap has placed in all four previous starts, and Gary Portelli said he was overdue for a change of luck.
“It’s been frustrating. I thought we were going to have the same luck coming to the corner when he was held up for a couple of strides,” Portelli said.
“He’s only a very small horse, about 15.2 (hands), and he had to push a big horse out of the way, but he’s got a big motor.
“What he did first-up at Warwick Farm surprised the hell out of me. I thought I could have a really serious racehorse here. I thought he’d just win his next start and he got too far back and rattled home, get on me next start then he came here and was unlucky last start.
“It just goes to show you, good horses can come from anywhere. He wasn’t showing this sort of ability early on. I thought he might win a maiden or a class one and here he is, he’s a proper horse.
“Today, he drew the barrier, it’s such a big thing. Great ride Brett (Prebble); he used the gate, got a good spot, then just had to make sure he got clear air and he was strong through the line.”
“There’s the Golden Rose in two weeks, that might be a race we aim at. I’ll talk to Brett and see how he comes through the run, but I think that’s probably a nice race for him.
“He’s by a Golden Slipper winner in Capitalist out of a mare by Stratum, so a double cross of Golden Slipper winners and I thought ‘well this is my next Golden Slipper winner.’ It’s about twelve months too late.”
A $200,000 purchase for his trainer from the Newhaven Park Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Sale, Encpa is the third winner from as many to race from the Group III BRC Vo Rogue Plate winner Enquare (Stratum).
A daughter of the tough as teak, dual Group III winner Skewiff, Enquare was a $90,000 purchase for Emmanuel Bloodstock at the 2020 National Broodmare Sale.
Newhaven offered a brother to Encap at Easter this year, where he fell short of making his $200,000 reserve. He has been named Prime Broker and sent to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Not served in 2020, Enquare visited Xtravagant last spring.
Encap is the 15th stakes-winner for Negate Farm’s Capitalist, who stands for $77,000 this spring.
