Capo Dell Impero Powers To Emphatic Waikouaiti Cup Victory
Capo Dell Impero was an impressive winner of the Waikouaiti Cup at Wingatui on Saturday for rider Corey Campbell
By Jonny Turner
Capo Dell Impero booked his ticket into the Dunedin Gold Cup in style with his commanding win in the Waikouaiti Cup at Wingatui.
The classy six-year-old took his career earnings just shy of $200,000 when powering to the line to win Saturday’s 2200m feature for White Robe Lodge trainers Brian and Shane Anderton.
Though he has won thousands of races during his illustrious career, Brian Anderton was still bursting with pride for his horse and his team following Capo Dell Impero’s powerful victory.
“I was proud of the horse and proud of our staff with the way he was presented and how he ran,” Anderton said.
“He looked magnificent in the birdcage, the team had him polished up and he looked ready to run a great race.”
“And he did that, Corey rode him patiently and didn’t panic.”
“Once he got into the clear he ran away from them and was very impressive.”
The Dunedin Gold Cup was always the big summer aim for Capo Dell Impero and now the galloper goes into Listed event after winning cup races in two of his last three starts.
“He has been looking for a bit of distance, but with the big stakes on offer for races like the Timaru Cup you have to have a go at them.”
“He ran out the 2200m very strongly on Saturday and we are hopeful he will like the 2400m just as much.”
Though Capo Dell Impero hasn’t scaled the heights his Group One winning half-brother Patrick Erin has just yet, he is putting together an impressive record of his own.
“Patrick Erin was a great horse but this guy has actually got a better turn of foot than him.”
“It is not to say he will win the big races Patrick did, but he is definitely a good horse in his own right.”
“We will talk to Mrs Smith after the Dunedin Gold Cup and figure out where to head with him next.”
“There is a chance he could head to the North Island for some of the big races up there.”
“But there are some great opportunities for him at Riccarton in the autumn.”
Capo Del Imperro will be joined in the Dunedin Gold Cup by Exchange (Ghibellines-Swapping-Encosta De Lago), who will have a warm-up run at Gore first.
Strong placings from Inflamed (Ghibellines-Ortem Fire-Gallant Guru) and Burgie (Ghibellines-Norah-Gallant Guru) racked up important points for them in the ODT Southern Mile Series, while adding to a good day out for the White Robe Lodge team on Saturday.