Snowden wants dry track for Capitalist

Peter Snowden is adamant Golden Slipper winner Capitalist is in form as he prepares for his clash with Astern in the Roman Consul Stakes, but his co-trainer is desperate for the colt to get on a good track.

Capitalist was beaten in his season return on soft ground in the San Domenico Stakes on August 13 and has since been freshened ahead of Saturday’s Roman Consul (1200m) at Randwick.

Snowden was buoyed by Capitalist’s barrier trial win last week and said he put his San Domenico run down to the rain-affected track.

“I think all that let him down on the day (in the San Domenico) was a soft track, and even in his work he shows that he’s not comfortable on it,” Snowden said.

“So I’m desperately hoping for a good track come Saturday and if it wasn’t I probably wouldn’t run him, because I just know that on top of the ground he’s just brilliant.”

Snowden said the Golden Slipper and Magic Millions Classic winner’s trackwork had been excellent and his 1-1/2 length barrier trial win last Tuesday was just what he wanted to see.

“I know he’s going well. That trial the other day, That’s A Good Idea and Redzel were in the trial and they’re weren’t having hard trials either but he went past them going three-quarter pace,” Snowden said.

Since the San Domenico, Capitalist has also had a few days in the paddock to mix up his routine.

“My plan was to mentally get him stimulated,” Snowden said.

Should Capitalist not get his ideal track on Saturday, Snowden said the Schillaci Stakes the following week in Melbourne was an option.

“But the Roman Consul is the race I really want to run him in,” he said.

Melbourne options for Capitalist if he performs to expectations include the Blue Sapphire Stakes and the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Golden Rose winner Astern is set to run in the Roman Consul after the Godolphin colt was ruled out of Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas Prelude won by Sacred Elixir because he had to be treated for a temperature.