Encap soars into Golden Eagle calculations with gutsy win in Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill

Gritty gelding Encap won the Ming Dynasty first-up at Rosehill last spring and returned to the scene 12 months later to claim the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes.

Encap (right) charges home to claim the Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Encap enhanced his Golden Eagle credentials when he scored his second career win a year to the day after his first at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The Gary Portelli-trained Encap won last year’s Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) on the same program before running second in the Group 1 Golden Rose at his next start.

Twelve months on the gelding showed toughness to prevail in the Group 2 $300,000 Theo Mark Stakes (1300m).

The son of Capitalist had to do things the hard way after getting caught three deep the trip but produced an excellent turn of speed to salute.

“He’s been a bit of a giant killer in his career like he’s beaten some real quality horses over the time,” Portelli said.

“And now he feels like he might be stepping into his own after a big win like that.

“I think we’ve seen something, you know, pretty promising.

“I think now he’s cemented himself as not the bridesmaid anymore.

“He’s run a couple of seconds and thirds at this level, and was hard to get a good strike right when you win your maiden in the Group three level.”

Jockey Jason Collett was unable to get Encap any closer than three-wide but the gelding did have cover in the run.

He fanned even wider at the top of the straight and quickly inserted Encap into the race.

Encap ($7) was up for the challenge as he wore down the game Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Bases Loaded ($4 fav) to win by a long head.

Matt Dunn’s Boom Torque ($6.50) was 1¼ lengths off them in third.

“I knew I’d have a good turn of foot late,” Collett said.

“I must admit, Bases Loaded did kick pretty well then kept kicking as I got close.”

Encap wins the G2 Theo Marks Stakes second up for @GaryPortelli and Jason Collett! pic.twitter.com/3UsmFzLWEX

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 14, 2024

Portelli has earmarked the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, November 2 as Encap’s main target.

How Encap gets to the lucrative feature race remains to be seen.

“You know we’re aiming toward a Golden Eagle so I think we’re in good order right now,” Portelli said.

“So what does the path look like to get there? Well probably we’ll sit down there and work out the program now after seeing what he’s done today.”

“We’ll just see what comes along, but the Grand Final, it’s the Golden Eagle.”

Encap is a $26 chance for the Golden Eagle.

Originally published as Encap soars into Golden Eagle calculations with gutsy win in Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill