Golden Slipper winning Champion 2YO Capitalist is making every post a winner as an exciting young sire and added a third stakes-winner to his tally in Canberra on Sunday when promising colt Kalashnikov won the Group III Black Opal Stakes (1200m) for a syndicate of James Harron Bloodstock owners.
Fifth on debut in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate last spring, Kalashnikov failed to figure at his next two starts, but broke the ice with an encouraging maiden win against older horses at Gosford on February 24.
That performance gave trainers Peter and Paul Snowden the confidence to put Kalashnikov back into a Black Type race with happy results.
He enjoyed a good run in transit under James McDonald and hit the line hard to score a half neck win over Team Hawkes expensive first starter Solar Winds, a $900,000 Zoustar colt.
“He’s always promised a lot, but was his own worst enemy early on as he was erratic and a little bit strong,” said co-trainer Paul Snowden.
“It was a good win at Gosford as he was three deep all the way with no cover and he was always going to get the run of the race today.
“We’ll see how he pulls up, but he deserves his spot in the Slipper.”
A $600,000 Magic Millions purchase for James Harron Bloodstock from the Segenhoe Stud draft, , Kalashnikov was also bred by Segenhoe, who have retained a share in his ownership and has the overall record of two wins from five starts with prizemoney just shy of $200,000.
He is the second winner from two to race from Rough Ride, a winning half-sister by Flying Spur to Group I winner Eagle Way and stakes-winners Assertive Eagle, Impressive Eagle and Soaressa, dam of Group III winner Thermal Current.
Segenhoe will offer the current yearling from Rough Ride, a filly by Shalaa (IRE), at Inglis Easter as Lot 54. She also has a filly foal to follow by Hellbent adn was covered last year by Dundeel.
Kalashnikov is the third stakes-winner for Newgate Farm young gun Capitalist, who is the leading first season sire and also the leading two year-old sire in the country.
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