UNDER The Cap stormed into Rockhampton Cup calculations with a brilliant feature race win over the course and circuit today (Sunday, June 30).
The four-year-old gelding, ridden by stable apprentice Cody Collis, was too strong in the Gold Cup Open (1600m), winning by one-and-a-quarter lengths as $3 favourite.
Under The Cap has become a bit of a Rockhampton specialist, with four wins and three placings from nine trips north to the Central Queensland racetrack.
That record and the strength of today’s win puts him firmly in calculations for the Rockhampton Cup (1600m) in a fortnight.
Trainer Stuart Kendrick said it was an explosive win from Under The Cap (main photo), which finished strongly after racing off the pace with cover.
“He showed he should be right up to the Rockhampton Cup,” Kendrick said.
“His form at Rockhampton is excellent,” he said.
“He won a three-year-old and four-year-old sales race a couple of months ago.
“He will now head back to the Rocky Cup and, hopefully, will give it a big shake.”
Stablemate Vetta Velocita (pictured below) is also likely to head back to Rockhampton over the carnival after winning a Class 6 Plate (1100m) today.
Vetta Velocita ($3.80) was also ridden by Collis, giving the jockey-stable combination a double on Tattersalls Race Day.
“It was great to see Vetta Velocita bounce back,” Kendrick said.
“He’s had some unlucky runs and followed up a good third at the Gold Coast last start with a great ride from Cody,” he said.
“He got an inside run and showed his customary finish to be very strong on the line.
“He will look to head back up to Rocky over the Cup carnival.”
Photos: Courtesy of Caught In The Act Photography CQ.