Gleneagles to bypass clash with star colts – for now
San Domenico unlikely for Payne’s promising son of Capitalist but trainer holds Group 1 ambition for colt
Gleneagles (Capitalist) could be given the chance to take on his generation’s best-credentialled three-year-olds during his spring campaign but it almost certainly won’t be this weekend.
Rosehill-based David Payne, who took over the training of the colt during the middle of the horse’s two-year-old season, yesterday suggested it was highly unlikely that Gleneagles would take on the big guns in the San Domenico Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Kembla Grange.
The Singapore-owned son of Capitalist (Written Tycoon), who won twice at Hawkesbury in the autumn for Payne, was among the nominations for the Group 3 sprint race alongside Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Stay Inside (Extreme Choice), Magic Millions (RL, 1200m) winner Shaquero (Shalaa), boom Kiwi Sword Of State (Snitzel) and highly rated colt Remarque (Snitzel).
However, Payne suggested the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) on the same Kembla Grange card against older horses was a more likely starting point for Gleneagles’ spring campaign which could culminate in a tilt at the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Flemington on October 30.
“He had that late holiday (after his Brisbane trip), so he’s not fully wound up yet. You don’t want to go taking on those horses underdone,” Payne said yesterday.
“We will just see how he comes through it and then we can decide where we want to go with him. We might look at the Coolmore if he is up to it.”
Gleneagles, who was runner-up to She’s All Class (I Am Invincible) in the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m) in December, was found to be shin sore after his fifth placing at Eagle Farm on January 2 in connections’ last-ditch bid to qualify for the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) at the Gold Coast.
He was subsequently transferred from the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable to Payne, who saddled him to two consecutive victories before heading back to Queensland with the colt for the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm where he was again unplaced.
While one of Gleneagles’ wins as a juvenile came at 1400 metres, Payne suggested it was unlikely the colt would be seen racing at that distance again any time soon.
“I have always maintained he is a sprinter. I don’t think he’s a 1400-metre horse,” he said.
“I think he’ll run a maximum of 1200 metres. He got away with a win at 1400 metres in a weaker field (at Hawkesbury) but I think he’s more of a sprinter.
“I think he is a fair horse and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.”
Payne’s cautious approach to the comeback of his promising colt is also due to the fact that he has only had one official barrier trial this preparation, winning a heat at Rosehill over 892 metres despite over-racing in the early stages.
Meanwhile, Payne has earmarked the Chelmsford Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) on Saturday week at Randwick as the return run for his Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Montefilia (Kermadec).
Montefilia, who was placed in the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) and ran fourth and fifth respectively in the Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) and Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) in the autumn, is being aimed towards the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m).
Payne is adamant that the four-year-old mare can run out a strong 2400 metres which would warrant her starting in the $5 million race.
“If you look at her, she never had things going for her (in the autumn). Both those staying races were a crawl,” he said.
“She has got a nice finish (when the tempo is on). She is a much stronger filly now. I am very happy with her.”