Cape Kidnappers confirmed his rating as Brisbane’s best short course horse at Eagle Farm on Saturday and earned himself a crack at Group company in the process.
Cape Kidnappers ($2.20) scored his second Listed race win when he beat Big Money ($6) by a short neck with three quarters of a length to Rocky King ($19) in third place in the Lightning Hcp (1000m).
The Lightning is traditionally the short course championship for Brisbane horses and this year was no exception with a smart field of speedsters taking part.
Cape Kidnappers - Damian Browne
Jockey Damian Browne produced anther vintage ride to give Cape Kidnappers the run of the race behind the speed and on the fence.
Cape Kidnappers has now won nine of his 13 starts and is a credit to his trainer Kelly Schweida.
“His only time out of a place (when seventh first-up in the Bribie Handicap) was when he had come back from a spell a bit fat,” Schweida said.
“The problem is we can’t do much with him between races because of his leg problems. He has to race into form and he can now step up to 1200 metres.”
Schweida paid credit to Browne and said his ride was the difference in the race.
“It panned out just as we hoped with them going hard in front and then Damian being able to get clear at the top of the straight,” Schweida said.
Cape Kidnappers will now tackle the Group Three W J Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm in a fortnight.
Schweida said there were spring carnival options for Cape Kidnappers in the southern states but was reluctant to plan too far ahead with the horse.
“He really has done a wonderful job considering his leg problems. How good could he have been?” Schweida said.
Tim Bell said Big Money finished hard but had his chance to catch the winner.
Tegan Harrison reported her mount Rocky King raced well after going hard early in the race with tearaway leader Adebisi who finished third last.
