Mature Kaptain Kaos To Fire Fresh In Roma Cup Says Grantham
Michael Grantham cannot wait to see Kaptain Kaos back at the races again, commencing with the G3 Roma Cup (1200m) at Belmont on Saturday.
If the talented four-year-old can improve on what he achieved last campaign, Grantham thinks he can be in the reckoning to take big scalps in upcoming weeks.
Transferred to a new stable last year, Kaptain Kaos enjoyed a stellar eight months under Grantham’s reign with seven wins and two placings from 11 starts.
He reached a personal peak in the Listed Northam Cup (1600m), winning his first feature race when he came with a withering burst from the back of the field.
Following two warm up trials, Grantham says he expects Kaptain Kaos to take another step this time in against quality horses and career-best opposition.
“I’ve been really happy with his last two trials,” Grantham told The races WA.
“The reason for the two trials is I think he has to be 110 per cent every time he goes around now.
“He can’t be underdone in these races otherwise you will look stupid.
“Everyone says it about their own horses, but without telling lies he has come back a totally different mature horse.
“After a few gallops last prep, he would leave feed for a week, but now, touch wood, he’s eating everything.
“Before he never really knew how to feel well, but now after a gallop, the next day he is like an equine kite.
“He’s learning after a big prep last time, a longish prep, but every race was hard for him.
“I think it could have been the making of him and really sorted him out.”
Kaptain Kaos has won seven races from 14 starts with five of those victories at 1200m.
The Demerit gelding can also fire fresh with two wins and a third from three first up attempts.
Despite follow up races in the Belmont Sprint (1400m), Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and potentially the Strickland Stakes (2000m), Grantham says Kaptain Kaos cannot be underestimated in the Roma Cup.
“He’ll run fresh as on Saturday,” Grantham said.
“He’s not a goat and can definitely hold his own.
“He’ll run out of his skin.”
With regular rider, Chris Parnham opting to partner Free Trade, Grantham has turned to Lucy Warwick.
He says Warwick, who rode Kaptain Kaos when he last raced in November’s Railway Stakes, has a good understanding of the horse.
“I’m disappointed because I love having Chris on, but I’m so happy I’ve got Lucy,” Grantham said.
“She pre trained him for like two months.
“After he came back from the paddock he went straight to Lucy’s and she had done all the work for me.
“She gets along great with him.”
Julio Santarelli