The well-supported King Kapa ($5.50) for Ben Thompson and Tony Gollan has raced clear with the prize in the Mark Hinkler Handicap on Saturday afternoon at Eagle Farm.
It was an impressive victory by the improving Capitalist gelding who produced a tough front-running display before bolting clear of his rivals with 400m to travel.
There were plenty of chasers in the form of stablemate Ef Troop ($16) and the Peter & Paul-trained Ranges ($13), but it was all in vain with King Kapa pinching a significant break which the others just couldn't overcome from back in the field.
2023 Listed Mark Hinkler Handicap Replay – King Kapa
The Listed level success for King Kapa could see him press forward for bigger targets down the line and trainer Tony Gollan was glowing about the steps forward King Kapa had taken since returning this campaign.
“He's been a fantastic acquisition to our stable,” said Gollan.
“I really want to thank the team at Strong Bloodstock for sending him up to us.
“He'd been going through his grades and came back with an eye to this carnival for him and things didn't work out too well his first start back when the draw sort of pulled him up here and didn't know what was going on.
“Then back to the trials, a really good run the other day in stakes grade at Doomben so we came here confident but it was an awfully good field but he put them away and did a great job.
“I didn't think he'd be able to lead and win this race. There looked a lot of pressure on paper but Ben held his nerve and held that rail.
“When he came to us he didn't look like he does now. He's really strengthening up and I can't thank the team enough. He's going to be really good for the team and for the stable for the next few years.”
Ben Thompson gave a similar appraisal of King Kapa when speaking in the aftermath of his victory and thinks there's still plenty of upside in this four-year-old.
“He was super,” said Thompson.
“Probably out of the speed runners and those amongst the chances, he drew best so I had to use a good draw.
“There were horses from out wide that were a bit of a burden but I just had to ride him with confidence.
“He probably would have travelled more comfortably with a sit but Two Ya Got came across and I thought by the time it crosses us it'll nearly be time to go.
“He's come such a long way since the end of last year. From a Class 2 to a stakes winner and stakes placed. He loves Eagle Farm and credit to Tony and his team.
“Who is to say he won't get seven furlongs in time. He was there to relax but he was stirred up by this horse around him. He's a nice horse and a stakes winner now.”