Capitalist Colt Holmes A Court Dominant in Group Three Black Opal Stakes

Mark Smith - Sunday March 10

Placed behind stablemate’s Bodyguard in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude and High Octane in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview, Holmes A Court found his time to shine in Sunday’s $250,000 Group III John Mcgrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra.

Holmes a Court (image Racing Photos)

Given the perfect stalking trip by Tommy Berry, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained son of Capitalist overpowered the favoured Hellbent colt by one and a half lengths, with Capitalist colt Amazing Eagle a closing third.

Holding entries for the Golden Slipper and Sires’ Produce Stakes, Holmes a Court breaks his maiden at start three, taking his prizemoney to $219,500. He is the fifth winner of the feature for Peter Snowden, who trained Epaulette when in charge at Darley, then in partnership with Paul Snowden, Defcon, Barbaric, and in 2021 with the Capitalist colt Kalashnikov.

An $850,000 buy for China Horse Club/Newgate/Go/Trilogyfrom the Newgate Farn draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Holmes a Court is the first foal of the Zoustar mare Menagerie.

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 A winner at Newcastle and placed five times from eight stats, Menagerie was a $240,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase for Joe Pride.

Holmes a Court an $850,000 Magic Millions yearling

A half-sister to Group 1 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes winner Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio), Listed winner Donna Cattiva (Captain Rio), and stakes-placed Miles of Krishan (Snitzel), Menagerie missed in 2021 and 2022 and was covered by Capitalist last spring.

Bred by Blake Sandblom Pty Ltd, Tim Ungar, Double R Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Anthony Rix, Henry Field Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Holmes A Court is the 19th stakes-winner for Newgate Farm’s Capitalist and a first as a broodmare sire for Widden Stud’s flagship stallion Zoustar.

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Race Result - John McGrath Auto Group Black Opal Stakes Gr3 1200m

Canberra Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:10.06
1
Holmes A Court
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Menagerie (AUS) (Zoustar (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
2
1.5
Fully Lit
- 2c Hellbent (AUS) x Sunlit (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 58
Hellbent
3
1.8
Amazing Eagle
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Taliqua (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Tyler Schiller 56
4
2.4
Odinson
- 2c Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Good Vibes (GB) (Due Diligence (USA))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: T Marquand 58
5
3.5
Vella's Best
- 2g Headwater (AUS) x Here De Joy (AUS) (Dehere (USA))
Tnr: G P Vella Rdr: Damon Budler 56
6
4.7
Phoroneus
- 2g Omaha Beach (USA) x Chrysopelia (AUS) (Rhythm (USA))
Tnr: B Joseph & P & M Jones Rdr: A Adkins 56
7
6.7
Spirit In The Dark
- 2f Spirit Of Boom (AUS) x Flash In The Dark (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: K R Dryden Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54
8
7.3
Dupli Kate
- 2f Star Turn (AUS) x Atom Eve (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: N F Gardner Rdr: Ms J Taylor 54
9
10.5
Full Metal Jacket
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Crystal Wand (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Tom Sherry 56
10
22.3
Spritzy Lass
- 2f Exceedance (AUS) x Cocktail (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: Todd Smart Rdr: J Penza 54
11
25.3
Hold The Gold
- 2f Invader (AUS) x Tough Company (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Kelley Rdr: Ms L Day 54
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