Box Draw Throws Capalaba Cup Wide Open

MILLIGAN'S box three draw for next Sunday's final of the Group 3 Capalaba Cup (366m) has buoyed trainer Michelle Sultana's hopes of victory with red runner Sacred Stance.

“It is obvious Milligan is desperate for the eight box, and I'm told he will crash right to get wide,” said Michelle.

“While I would prefer Sacred Stance to be drawn in the eight, the red with a dog on his outside that could, emphasis on could, clean up those on its outside, is a good option for us.”

Capalaba Sun Oct 2 2022
Capalaba Cup Ht 3
1st – Box 8 Unleash Collinda – Jason Thompson
2nd – Box 7 Rothwell Chunk – Nathan Goodwin
19.50 (1.87 – 4.12 – 13.51) 4 1/4 x 1 1/2. 5k Tail Wind
Bogie Fury – 19.91 (3rd) @RadioTABAus pic.twitter.com/n0Lp62b98H

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) October 2, 2022

Sacred Stance overcame early trouble to win his Cup heat on Sunday in a quick 19.60 and Michelle Sultana was overjoyed with the performance.

“He copped it from both sides at the start and it appeared in the replay that he actually lost his front legs for a stride or two,” she said.

“But, he recovered quickly.”

Sultana said long-term plans for Sacred Stance include a second tilt at the Group1 Hobart 1000 in December.

“He was a baby when he made the final last year,” she said.

“He is a much better one-turn track dog than straight tracker, so we look forward to the Hobart Group 1.”

Quickest of the four Cup heats was Unleash Collinda from the Jason Thompson kennel who led throughout in 19.50 to down Rothwell Chunk.

He has come up with box five in the final.

Capalaba Sun Oct 2 2022
Capalaba Cup Ht 2
1st – Box 2 Sacred Stance – Michelle Sultana
2nd – Box 8 Ferocity – Nicole Connell
19.60 (1.82 – 4.16 – 13.62) 2 x 2. No Wind
Another Chance – 19.87 (3rd)@RadioTABAus pic.twitter.com/zbKnOQPJ09

— John Brasch (@Bunny_Brasch) October 2, 2022

He trialled a slick 19.72 and improved to 19.50 in the heat. The five in the final is ideal if only he can avoid Milligan at box rise.

Milligan came off the seven and was the widest runner as usual when winning in 19.56 over Tira Mira.

He is a multiple feature race finalist up the straight.

And, Christine Bourke's star Beck And Call ran 19.83 to win his heat over Horchata to continue his fabulous straight track form. He is a 19.36 winner at the track.

The club will run a Capalaba Cup Consolation and trainers must nominate for the race.

Capalaba Cup (in box draw): 1 Sacred Stance, 2 Horchata, 3 Milligan, 4 Beck And Call, 5 Unleash Collinda, 6 Tira Mira, 7 Rothwell Chunk, 8 Ferocity. Res: 9 Black Comanche, 10 Another Chance.

Bob Vernon Mem Mdn (in box draw): 1 Special Thunder, 2 Georgia Choo, 3 Caramel Queen, 4 Potato Peeler, 5 Red Cloud, 6 Nintymilke Queen, 7 Imposing Blade, 8 Dashing Dipper. Res: 9 Perfect Tyrant, 10 Liberty Valance.