A ground saving ride by Thomas Stockdale paved the way for the Paul Preusker-trained Captain Envious to upset the applecart when he prevailed in a thrilling finish top the Gr.3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.
The son of Savabeel went into the race after two less than impressive efforts to open his autumn campaign with punters sending last year’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) winner out at odds of better than $32 on the tote.
He looked to be travelling easily in midfield against the fence for Stockdale midway through the contest but started to get cluttered up in traffic approaching the home bend.
Stockdale angled him between eventual runner-up Jennilala and race favourite First Immortal at the 200m and he burst through the narrow gap to take the lead in the shadows of the post and record his sixth career victory.
Stable representative Sonya Brockenbauer indicated her heart was in her mouth as Captain Envious tried to force his way between runners.
“It was a fairly small gap and when it started to close up, I thought we have lost it here but he managed to tough it out and push through and get the job done,” she said.
“He is a little bit of a tricky horse as he has been here since 11:30am so he has had six hours of walking before the race but he makes it all worthwhile.
“He is very quirky and even trying to put the rug on him sets him off.
“Paul thinks so much of this horse and I’m sure he had a bob or two on him.”
Stockdale was also full of praise for the horse who showed plenty of courage to charge his way through between horses.
“It was tight and I had both horses coming in on me but credit to the horse as he had to punch through and still get the job done,” Stockdale said.
“He took a long time to pull up after the post so I think he will be looking for further now.
“He really liked the fast tempo throughout as he could camp off it and then present late.
“He is gutsy and tough and has had a little bit of a blow after the line so he will come on with this one.”
Captain Envious races in the colours of his breeders, Ultra Thoroughbred Racing. He is by Savabeel out of the Italian-bred mare My Central, who won seven races including the Gr.3 Balanchine Stakes (1800m) in Dubai.
All of the Central Park mare’s four foals to race have been winners, with Captain Envious the first to win at stakes level. My Central is also the granddam of Umgawa, who has won four races and finished second in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne.
He has now won six of his 19 starts and just over $648,000 in prizemoney. -NZ Racing Desk
