The dream of having the riches of a stallion often crush the experience of just having a good horse, but not in the case of Kapajack.
The three-year-old, which was a winner on debut in benchmark grade against older horses at the beginning of the month, has had to wait for his time to shine. He has also had his manhood removed to make him a racehorse.
Orange glow: Kapajack wins on debut with Andrew Adkins aboard at Rosehill.Credit:AAP
“He was a $70,000 colt that wasnt going to make a stallion and the owners listened and they are getting the rewards now,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said. “We always thought he was a nice horse but after his first trial as a two-year-old he needed to be gelded.
“Everyone wants to think they are going to get a stallion but not many do. We were honest with what we thought and they took the advice.”
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Kapajack went to the barrier trials five times across three preparations before getting to raceday and when he did he overcome a wide draw to charge home to victory.
It was an immediate return on the racecourse, and brought into focus the possibility of heading to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Guineas.
The first-up win has seen him enter the benchmark at a high figure of 72 and resulted in Team Hawkes opting to claim on the son of Lonhro using Brock Ryan.
“We are just going to let him show us where he can go. He was very good at his first run and if he shows us he is up to going the Gold Coast we will take him,” Hawkes said. “He has to earn his place there and there is much more racing left for him in the next couple of years.
“We have been patient with him and that is not going to change.”
After starting a $17 outsider on debut – albeit well supported – Kapajack is the $4 favourite at Warwick Farm. The 1300m assignment will be started from the chute, which reopens on Saturday.
Team Hawkes has a strong team in Sydney's west for the pre-Christmas meeting with Cest Davinchi and Intueri clashing over a mile and last-start winner Heart Conquered again facing the short course.
The Akeed Mofeed gelding was too speedy over the Warwick Farm 1000m last time on heavy ground, with subsequent Saturday winner Deprive left well in his wake after he ran third to Chess Star and Roheryn at his previous start.
“We haven't got enough of these Akeed Mofeeds. They're beautiful kind horses and they can gallop,” Hawkes said.
Cest Davinchi had been a frustrating type, running four seconds in six starts before this preparation when Team Hawkes took the visor off and fitted him with a pair of blinkers. After another second at Muswellbrook, he has found winning form with a couple of Canterbury victories.
“Once he got that win he has backed it again and we are taking the next step with him. We have always thought he was a Saturday class horse and he gets the chance to show it,” Hawkes said.
Meanwhile, Golden Slipper winner Estijaab will return to the stable in the new year and be given another preparation. She hasn't been seen since taking the Golden Slipper and has had a tie back operation during her time off.
“She looks great and the op was a success but you won't really know until she is under race pressure," Hawkes said.
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
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