News

Capricious Spirit primed for Inglis 2YO Challenge

13th May 2015

The Daily Examiner - by Bill North - Thursday, 14 May 2015

It's hard to go past Capricious Spirit (pictured as a yearling) in this Friday's $100,000 Inglis 2YO Challenge (1100m).

Eatonsville trainer Morgan Butler has his two-year-old filly primed with two eye-catching wins from two starts and in tip-top shape ahead of this morning's six-hour drive to Scone. Butler agreed Capricious Spirit (I Am Invincible x Capricious Lady) is one of three standouts in the field of 13 acceptances.

"My horse is obviously the form horse with two starts from two wins," Butler said. "But in saying that Sargent Doakes had two starts for two wins and did carry 59kg on a heavy track in his last start."

Rodney Northam trained Sargent Doakes finished sixth at Muswellbrook on May 1 in an otherwise unblemished career.

"Kikimora will be primed to win," continued Butler. "Allan Denham is a freak trainer and you've got to respect any horse he brings into a race.

"These are the three horses that have probably been primed for this race."

Butler stopped short of admitting playing it safe. But guaranteeing jockey James McDonald in the saddle made the decision easier. Capricious Spirit has drawn barrier seven for the third race on day one of the Scone Carnival.

"I'm hoping it's a weaker field," Butler said. "I'm by no means saying Inglis Challenge is an easy race to win, because everything has got to go right for you, but for my horse I think it's a better option. It's a smaller nominated field and less metropolitan horses.

"Plus I've actually got James McDonald for Friday, but couldn't have for the Listed race on Saturday."

Butler has aimed Capricious Spirit at this race since purchasing her at the Inglis Sale twelve months ago. He is hoping a relative lull in the wider racing calendar works in favour for his young charge.

"At this time of year all your major Golden Slipper horses have come through and gone. You've got a few horses coming up for Brisbane Carnival, but both two-year-old races at Scone are over 1100m and that's a bit short for the major races in Queensland."

Scone Jockey Club received a record 439 nominations across the two-day carnival's 16 races. Scone is Australia's richest country racing carnival with almost $2 million in prizemoney up for grabs.