Astute trainer John O’Shea got a good result from Capitalist mare Junqueira, who won a 3YO race this day last year at the Gold Coast and returned 12 months later to win the $250,000 MM Rising Stakes Plate (1400m) for fillies and mares.
Tuned up with a recent trial, Junqueira produced her best for Craig Williams to surge clear and win by nearly two lengths taking her overall record to three wins from nine starts with prizemoney just shy of $250,000.
“We took her back to the trials to try and get her to execute better,” O’Shea said.
“We needed to get her to relax in the gates and Tommy Berry has been very helpful to help get her mind back on the game and I think it really helped last week. As you saw she brought her A game today and when she does that she’s very effective.”
John O’Shea indicated Junqueira may well back up in the $1million MM Filly and Mare next week if she pulls up well.
An $80,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newgate Farm draft for Mystery Downs/John Foote Bloodstock, Junqueira was bred by SF Bloodstock and is the second winner from imported stakes-winner Bibby (USA), who died in 2019 with Junqueira her last foal.
Newgate will offer a big draft of 62 at Magic Millions next week including eight by Capitalist, who sired six winners on Saturday.
