Second in the Group I ATC Golden Rose last spring to Militarize, the Gary Portelli trained Capitalist gelding Encap soared to new heights at Rosehill on Saturday when he arrived on the line to win the Group II ATC Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).
Well ridden by Jason Collett, he improved sharply on his first up seventh in the Group III ATC Show County Stakes last spring to score a well deserved win taking his overall record to two wins and seven placings from 14 starts woth prizemoney topping $700,000.
The only other race Encap has won was the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty Quality on the corresponding program last year.
"Now he has cemented himself as not the bridesmaid anymore," Portelli said.
"He's run a couple of seconds and thirds at this level, it was hard to get a good strike rate when you win your maiden at Group Three level.
"We're aiming towards a Golden Eagle, so I think he's in good order right now. We'll sit down and work out the program after seeing what he's done today, but the grand final is the Golden Eagle."
A $200,000 purchase for his trainer from the Newhaven Park Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Sale, Encap is the third winner from as many to race from the Group III BRC Vo Rogue Plate winner Enquare, a daughter of Group III winner Skewiff.
Enquare produced a filly by Xtravagant last spring and was one of 174 mares covered last spring by Capitalist, who stands at a fee of $66,000 this spring at Newgate Farm.
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