Innes leads premiership

Danica Guy’s thoughts turned to Australia after Capella passed her sternest test with flying colours at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

The Matamata trainer’s dream trip with her group two Cambridge Stud Eight Carat Classic winner would be an autumn one to Sydney.

“I would love to have a go at the ATC Oaks with her,” Guy said. “It’s so pleasing to see her step up to this grade and win so well. She’s still a bit green, but I am really proud of her. She’s a very good filly.”

In the shorter-term, Guy will give some thought to an Ellerslie return on New Year’s Day for the Mongolian Khan Royal Stakes. “I’ll get her home and see how she does and there are plenty of options ahead,” he said.

Capella settled one off the fence and towards the back of the field and she rounded off strongly down the outside to account for Ruud Not Too and Valley Girl.

“She ran out a bit, but we always had the race won,” rider Mark Du Plessis said. “She’s a very talented filly with a good sprint.”

Capella’s win earned her eight points in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series to move into second on the table, with current leader 1000 Guineas winner Risque (12 points) to do her future racing in Australia.

The favourite Sofia Rosa clipped heels and fell in the straight, but the filly and rider Vinnie Colgan emerged unscathed. Leith Innes leads the inaugural FastTrackinsurance Christmas Carnival Jockey Premiership after the first day of the three-day promotion at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. While Innes shared honours on the day with Opie Bosson as both scored three individual wins, a victory aboard Kawi in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic saw Innes snatch double points in that race to finish the day with a total of 4 points. Bosson is one point adrift with 3 while Mark Du Plessis and Samantha Collett both sit on 2 points.