Capulet arrives on time
Capulet left it late but arrived in time to take out the Ritchie Brothers Stakes Handicap (1330m) at Geelong on Friday, January 19.
Ridden perfectly by Harry Coffey, Capulet was given the run of the race, third on the fence, before coming out to challenge in the home straight.
Under hard riding, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained three-year-old filly, backed from $4.20 into $3.40 favourite, wore down the leader Albanian Star ($13) to win by a head with Black Zous ($9), 1-1/4 lengths away third.
Part-owned by the MyRacehorse group, Capulet is building a nice record with two wins, three seconds and a third from just nine starts.
Coffey had the filly away well from gate one and was able to trail the leader in the run to the home turn. Once in the straight, he angled her off the inside and so began the battle to wear down the leader.
Finn McCarthy, stable foreman for the McEvoys, said the winning post had come up at just the right time.
“Harry gave Capulet a great ride,” McCarthy said.
“But she needed the length of the straight to win.
“She has been very consistent, and it was good to have another winner for MyRacehorse.
“Her first run this prep was quite good.
“She was wide and had to do plenty of work and we always thought there would be improvement.
“It was brilliant to get the win.
“It is excellent to have the MyRacehorse owners on board.
“They get a real hands-on experience with the ownership and have a look at the horses on open days.
“There is always a good crowd at the races and there are heaps here today going out to get a photo and have a drink afterwards.”
Winning jockey Harry Coffey said Capulet had responded to his hard riding.
“That little filly is very honest and tries hard,” Coffey said.
“Today she knew where the post was and got the job done.
“Keep winning and hopefully I am still on is what I would be suggesting to the McEvoys.
“She is very honest, tries hard, always turns up to the races and puts her best in.
“The other day at Moonee Valley she was left chasing and always at her top.
“She was suited today having a trail and coming with a run.
“It is great to ride winners in these colours (MyRacehorse) as you always come back to plenty of smiling faces.”