Bennet Racing 4yo gelding Capitalex was pretty impressive when absolutely bolted his maiden in at Murray Bridge on Wednesday. Ridden by Jacob Opperman, This was the first run for Capitalex in South Australia and for the Stokes team (ex Malua x Neasham). He had been trialling well leading into this and despite a slight hiccup recently, he presented in magnificent order here and was sent out the fav.
Drawing in, Jacob Opperman was keen to get him out cleanly and settle close to the lead. He did jump well but wasn’t flash into stride initially being in the back 3. He slid through along the rails to the turn and was ready to strike. Giving the leader about 4 lens start, he went through the gears beautifully reeling in the leader at the 200m and then bursting away for a comfortable win. The 2nd horse who was plunged from $34 to $5 ran on well for a distant 2nd. They ran the 1000m in 58.74s a good time for Maidens.
This was a super impressive win by Capitalex who was well placed to land a dominant win 1st time out for the stable and in South Australia. A quirky double with both Zoupurring on Saturday and now Capitalex 1st up for Bennett Racing/Stokes Racing in South Australia winning. This horse has had 3 sets of trainers and raced in 3 different states in just the 9 starts it took for him to win his Maiden. We thought enough of him to have a crack at the Magic Millions Maiden but unfortunately, it poured rain and the son of Capitalist was all at sea on the Heavy 29 that day. The win took Capitalex overall career: 9 starts, 1 – 3 – 1 $44,093.
Capitalex was purchased at the 2023 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Longwood Thoroughbred Farm, Vic for $130,000. A son of the very good stallion Capitalist, Capitalex is out of the winning Exceed And Excel mare Miss Expensive who is a ½ sister to the speedy sp Lil Red Corvette.
Interesting for such a speedy customer Capitalex is a direct descendant of the wonderful Colin Hayes trained Gr1 winner Mapperley Heights. The daughter of Champion Sire Sir Tristram had 8 wins in her career with interestingly scored 3 of those wins at 2. Eventually she would go on to win from1100m to 2500m and earn $275,527 considering she was born in 1980 this was a decent amount of money. Amongst her wins and placing were victories in the South Australian Derby, Gr.1, VRC AV Kewney S., Gr.2, Avondale JC Classic S., Gr.3, SAJC Rain Lover P., Gr.3, VATC Royal Show H., L, she was 2d AJC Oaks, Gr.1, VRC Oaks, Gr.1, VATC Sandown Cup, Gr.2, MVRC Carlton Draught S., L, Pinjarra RC Millionaire Sires’ S., L, 3d VRC Melbourne Cup, Gr.1, SAJC Adelaide Cup, Gr.1. Quite a remarkable mare!
Congratulations to all owners in Capitalex and a big thank you to Phillip Stokes Adelaide Stables led by son Kerrin.