The Vancouver two-year-old Capper Thirtynine achieved the notable feat of running down a Waterhouse-Bott front-runner when opening his winning account in the Bendigo Mazda Maiden Plate (1100m) at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Ridden by Ben Allen for Nick Ryan, Capper Thirtynine scored a last-stride win over the Russian Revolution gelding Marching with The Trapeze Artist colt Reprisal a half-length back in third.
Part-owned by AFL legend Warwick Capper, Capper Thirtynine was gelded after finishing sixth of six when well-supported in the $500,000 Inglis Banner on debut at Moonee Valley last October.
Ben Allen said he was confident he would get the photo.
“I heard someone scream out ‘Capper’, so I was confident I got the bob,” Allen said.
“They knew what sought of horse he is; they consider him a 1400m to a mile type of horse, so what he did today was a big effort.
“He is still very raw and does not know how to attack the line, and it did it just on ability today.
“He struggled a bit around the turn, but he knuckled down once I gave him a few with the whip. A few came up to me, and he kicked away and was tough at the end.”
A $32,500 pinhook for Diamond Park Breeding & Racing from the Noogee Park draft at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Capper Thirtynine, was purchased by Sharona King for $45,000 from the Showcase Session of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Bred by Etak Thoroughbreds, the son of Vancouver is the fourth winner from six to race for the Royal Academy (USA) mare Artwear.
A half-sister to Group 1 SAJC Schweppes Oaks third Essence (Fast Rock), from the family of Hong Kong Horse Of The Year, Beauty Generation, Artwear was pensioned last year, and Capper Thirtynine is her final foal.
Woodside Park Stud has had plenty to celebrate with their stallions recently, and Golden Slipper winner Vancouver is sure to appeal to breeders at his 2023 fee of $11,000.
