The drinks were on Cappy Morgan when rising two year saluted at $59.10 in race 2 at Sandown Park tonight.
Getting a clear run from box 4, the son of leading sire Barcia Bale found the lead through the first turn and was never headed, defeating Gladiator by 3¼ lengths at the gargantuan odds. As impressive as the price was (and touched $71 on fixed odds), handler Ian Cockerell didn’t have any of his own on it.
“I didn’t have anything on it,” he said.
After winning at his third career start, Cappy Morgan had been placed in just three of his next 10 appearances with his starting price easing accordingly. However Cockerell has always been confident in the dog’s raw ability.
“It was too big a price, he’s well and truly a better dog than that.
“He should never have been those odds, but his box manner let him down at times. He’s hit and miss – when he hits he goes good and he can run time when he’s out on his own. And he just can’t draw a box.
“Once he was out in front they weren’t going to get him, it would have taken something pretty strong to run him down. He has plenty of ability just has get it right.”
It was a rough night for punters in the first three races at headquarters, with Unit Bale ($8.60) and Brother Cousin ($25.50) bookending Cappy Morgan’s win and blowing out all but one punter in the early quaddie. The approximate early quaddie dividend was $10,496 for all six runners in the final leg, won by odds on favourite Blue Striker.
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Cappy Morgan (4) scores at massive odds
