Promising three-year-old ENCAP looks the one to beat in the $500,000 Tapp-Craig over 1400m at Rosehill racecourse, Australia on Saturday.
The Gary Portelli-trained gelding has been a vast improver after finishing runner up in two midweek maidens to start this preparation. ENCAP then broke through for his first big-race success, scoring An emphatic victory in the G3 Ming Dynasty (1400m) before going on to finish runner-up to Militarize in the G1 Golden Rose (1400m) the last time he raced.
With seemingly plenty more to come from ENCAP, he looks the clear stand out in this week’s race, while reuniting with winning jockey Brett Prebble is key to his chances.
King’s Gambit worthy of another chance
Three-year-old colt KING’S GAMBIT looks like a good bet in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill.
KING’S GAMBIT has shown plenty of ability in his five-start career so far, winning by five lengths on debut this time last year but subsequently finishing in the placings in his next four starts. He resumed after a six-month break down the Flemington straight on September 16, vying to make all in the Listed Poseidon Stakes over 1100m but feeling the pinch late and finishing third.
His chances look strong second-up after trialling well between runs and being ridden quietly in his heat. With those same tactics adopted this week, as he did when finishing third in the Golden Slipper, he looks hard to beat.
