Magical Golden Slipper result boosts confidence of Queenslanders for the winter carnival

AS Capitalist strode clear to stamp himself as Australia’s premier two-year-old in the Golden Slipper, there were big smiles coming out of two stables in Brisbane.

AS Capitalist strode clear to stamp himself as Australia’s premier two-year-old in Saturday’s Golden Slipper, there were big smiles coming out of two stables in Brisbane.

Kelso Wood (Nikitas) and Steve O’Dea (Candika) prepared the minor placegetters behind Capitalist in the Magic Millions and Saturday’s result boosted their confidence of winter carnival success.

“Bloody oath it was a good result,” Wood said after watching the Slipper.

“I rang the other owners straight away and said ‘isn’t that great?’ Gee he won well and it gives us confidence that the Magic Millions form will stand up this year.”

Wood plans to give Nikitas just three starts over the carnival, starting with the Champagne Stakes at Doomben on May 14, the Sires Produce (May 28) and Group 1 JJ Atkins (June 11), a race he won four years ago with Sizzling.

“Trish (Gessler) has been riding him and said he feels enormous. He’s matured, he’s done a bit of growing and filled out. I’m looking forward to getting him over more ground,” Wood said.

O’Dea was in the winners’ circle again at Doomben on Saturday with Beatniks and he too liked the Slipper result.

“Absolutely,” O’Dea said.

Capitalist and Blake Shinn dominate this year’s Golden Slipper at Rosehill. Picture: Jenny Evans

“It was great to see that horse do that. I thought people were a bit quick to can him. He was two months between runs when he was beaten and he showed his real form on Saturday.

“Obviously Kelso would be on pretty good terms with himself too. They both ran super in the Magic Millions and look like they will run over more ground.”

O’Dea has Candika set to resume on April 30 at Doomben before going to the JJ Atkins (1600m).

“In all of her races she’s given the impression she will appreciate further,” he said.

“Even in the Magic Millions, she was off the bridle the whole way.”

O’Dea’s proven carnival contender is Sir Moments, who runs over 1350m this Saturday before going to the Tails Stakes and then Hollindale Stakes.

The trainer is also hopeful Beatniks and Tan Tat Diamond may be contenders in support races over the carnival.

A jubilant Blake Shinn takes in Capitalist’s superb Slipper win. Picture: Getty Images

Trainer Peter Snowden will recommend Capitalist be spelled and not attempt to complete the juvenile triple crown at Randwick next month.

Snowden said on Sunday that Capitalist had pulled up well after his memorable Golden Slipper win and no decision had been made about whether to keep the colt in training for the Group 1 $1 million ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1200m) on April 2.

“I need to talk with all the owners and see what they want to do,’’ said Snowden, who co-trains Capitalist with his son Paul.

“There is nothing locked in yet but my recommendation is the colt goes for a spell.

“He has done a great job this season.’’

Deserved spell: Strapper Sarah Kirk with Golden Slipper winner Capitalist at Peter Snowden’s stables. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Originally published as Magical Golden Slipper result boosts confidence of Queenslanders for the winter carnival