Wilson hopeful Captain Fenkel can rediscover form

By Glenn Davis

Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson hasn’t lost faith in Captain Fenkel following his Queensland Derby campaign last winter and is hopeful the gelding can rediscover his best form at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Captain Fenkel - a Cejay Graham mount – steps out for his second start this campaign in the Listed Tails Stakes over 1500 metres.

“We found out during the winter that he couldn’t stay so we aborted his Queensland Derby mission,” Wilson said.

“He ran a fair race in the Queensland Guineas but he couldn’t get the trip in the Rough Habit Plate when he ran last.

“Unfortunately, he’s not a Magic Millions horse so there’s no real grand final for him in the summer.

“We’ll see how he runs on Saturday before deciding where to go with him next but there’s a few black-type races that might suit him.”

Captain Fenkel, who was also nominated and allotted 59kgs in The Gateway over 1400 metres, is coming off a last start sixth in the Listed Recognition Stakes over 1350 metres at Doomben on November 27.

“His last run in the Recognition was good when he ran on well and stepping up to 1500 metres won’t worry him,” Wilson said.

“He’s drawn a bit sticky in nine in the Tails Stakes so he might need a bit of luck but it’s not a bad start there.

“We decided to run in the Tails as he gets in with a very light weight compared to The Gateway which is Weight for Age and he had 59kgs.

“He’s second-up but he’s won second-up before and he’s come on well since his last run.”

Captain Fenkel was ridden by Mark Du Plessis in the Recognition but Wilson has gone a different way in the Tails Stakes with the booking of last season’s star apprentice Graham.

“Cejay came down and rode him in two barrier trials before he ran in the Recognition so she knows him well enough,” Wilson said.

The Tails Stakes has attracted a strong field including the Kris Lees-trained Inver Park who was a last start winner in a 1400 metre Class 6 Plate at the Sunshine Coast last month.

Lees is shooting for his third Tails Stakes victory after winning it with imported gallopers Hallelujah Boy in 2018 and last year with Acquitted.

While Captain Fenkel is a $34 outsider behind $2.80 favourite I Am Artie, Wilson believes Captain Fenkel can give the race a big shake.

“He’s in good shape and is doing everything right so he should race very well,” Wilson said.