Sundon gelding to make Queensland debut

Ten-year-old Si Capisco will make its Queensland debut in the Trotter’s Discretionary Handicap at the harness racing meeting at Albion Park on Saturday night with his new Caboolture-based trainer Greg Eeles banking on the decorated Monte convert being fit enough to progress to a bigger prize the following week.

 

A versatile performer, Si Capisco is a multiple Victorian Metropolitan and Country Cup winner with two wins this year under saddle in Monte (ridden trot) races at Bendigo and Melton, in track record time.

 

Just last November Si Capisco also lined up in a Group One Final at Menangle (NSW) against some of the best trotters in the land and he has had multiple ‘black type’ race wins in trotting cup races in Victoria.

 

Among those wins have been the 2013 Stawell Trot Cup, the 2012 John Slack Memorial Trot Cup at Ballarat, 2012 Mildura Trot Cup, 2010 Ararat Trot Cup, 2009 VSTA Trot Cup Final at Moonee Valley and many other wins.

 

One feature of the big square-gaiter’s Cup wins has been that they have all been over lengthy distances.

 

“My target for this horse is the Trotters Marathon, I really want to get a guide on his fitness on Saturday to make sure we are ready for the longer race next week,” Eeles said.

 

 “He has been trained for Monte races of late and it’s probably not the best preparation for the (sulky race) marathon but if I can get him spot on for next week he will be in his element over the long trip.”

 

Just three weeks has elapsed since Si Capisco a gelded son of Sundon and Sorry Hall joined Eeles’ two horse stable, after travelling to Queensland from Jodi Quinlan and Craig Demmler’s very successful Victorian barn.

 

On Saturday night he will start from the pole mark position off the front line in the $8000 handicap at Brisbane’s trotting headquarters.

 

“It’s not really the draw I wanted, I am a little bit worried about drawing the pole from a standing start at his first look at Albion Park,” Eeles said.

 

“I have Darrel Graham driving him and I want him to get the horse away cleanly so we can have a look at what he can do.”

 

“If he can strike the form he showed down south he would have to be a chance racing up here, some of his country cup wins were by big margins against good horses.”

 

“He won the Mildura Cup in record time by almost 45 metres.”

 

Eeles said Si Capisco has buddied up with his three-year-old paddock mate Rollon Chilli and has settled in well to his new home.

 

“It’s like David and Goliath when you see the two together, Si Capisco is a giant of a horse, lovely big type and Chilli is a midget, but they get on well.”

 

Vicki Rasmussen will harness up two of the top chances in Saturday night’s Trot, Goldstar Invasion, the 20 metre backmaker also headed for next week’s Trotters Marathon after finishing runner up in the distance race last year and Mister Malakye which will start from the 10 metre mark in this race.

 

Next week’s Statewide Taxation Services Trotters Marathon carries $14,999 prizemoney and will be raced over 3157 metres.