Caspar claims Gimcrack glory

Progressive juvenile lands big win for McCabe yard

Last updated: 19th August 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Caspar Netscher

Caspar Netscher: Gimcrack Stakes hero

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Caspar Netscher (5-1) was an impressive winner of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes at York.

It was a hugely significant day for trainer Alan McCabe as he landed this Group 2 contest after Robert Winston brought the son of Dutch Art with a searing run inside the final furlong for a deserved victory after a number of fine placed efforts this season.

Winston had his mount settled in rear in the early stages as Lilbourne Lad, Burwaaz and Reply went a decent clip in the front rank.

The eventual winner challenged down the far side of the field and did edge towards the middle of the course but was nicely clear of his rivals and kept on strongly to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Lilbourne Lad found his second wind to claim second with Burwaaz third.

Stronger

Winston said: "He takes a bit of getting to know, and when he veered off to the right I just gave him a couple of reminders to go forward and he did.

"He's getting better as the year goes on. When I got on him in the paddock the last day I said to Alan he had strengthened up and he's a very nice horse to be on now.

"It's great for the owners, they have put plenty of money into racing and it's nice to have a good one."

Newark-based McCabe, who has held a licence for five years, said: "That's superb. It's all credit to the team at home and to Charles Wentworth who is one of my biggest patrons.

"We'll take him home and see how he is and he's got entries everywhere. We're even thinking about the Breeders' Cup, but that's a long way off.

"He's physically and mentally still improving."

Connections of the Richard Hannon-trained runner-up Lilbourne Lad were delighted with his performance under a 3lb penalty.

The trainer's son and assistant Richard Hannon junior said: "It was a smashing effort with that penalty and he's a pleasure to train. Where we go from here I'm not sure."

Wentworth added of the winner: "He is in the Champagne Stakes (at Doncaster on September 10), so that's an option and he'll definitely get seven furlongs.

"This horse was bought for me as a birthday present for me from my wife, so it's a dream come true."

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