Capecover

Racing and Sports
1/10/09

Capecover raced among the second tier staying races last spring including a win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and since then Fieldes has aimed at a place on the big stage.

At his fourth run from a spell this season, over 2500m at Moonee Valley yesterday, he worked home strongly to finish a close-up fourth behind fellow Kiwi Sand Hawk.

It was an eye-catching run under the big weight, given he hasn't been comfortable at the tight Moonee Valley track, but over two miles at Flemington Fieldes is hoping he can show that big finish.

“He's on track for what we've got in mind, heading towards the Melbourne Cup, and will drop down to 51.5kg if he gets into the race but his form will have to improve dramatically on what he did yesterday.”

Fieldes believes he can, though, as he's trained the gelding differently this season to ensure he'll run the longer journeys right out in the tougher class.

“We've been planning this for 12 months knowing he's fully qualified. And he grew into a man last year with all that travelling and is a different horse.

“He's had a long slow preparation. We've had that dream of winning a Melbourne Cup and we've turned him into a grinding stayer so he just doesn't have that ping that he had last year.”

Capecover's next assignment is the Group 2 Winning Edge Stakes (Herbert Power) over 2400m at Caulfield on Saturday week.

He is currently 36th in order for entry for the Melbourne Cup where he has just 51.5kg.

After yesterday's eye-catching effort he was supported in Melbourne Cup betting and is now a $26.00 chance with Betchoice.