Kaphero
August 25th 2008 06:31
Although El Segundo may be our highest ranked racehorse, he was easily beaten into second placing for the MVRC (Moonee Valley) Horse of the Year by specialist sprinter Kaphero.
(photo: racingandsports.com.au)
Points for Moonee Valley Horse of the Year:
KAPHERO 23
EL SEGUNDO 18
BIRD OF FIRE 15
GOLD EDITION 15
GUNFIRE MESSIAH 14
LAURA'S CHARM 13
SYLVAN COURT 13
JOYEUSE 12
On Saturday the 24th of August Kaphero stepped out in the new racing season for the first time and once again lay the first claim to claiming the repeat title as Moonee Valley Champion. This time returning to Group Company in the Group 3 McEwan Stakes (1000m) and recording only his second black-type victory after winning the Listed Blue Preview (colts & geldings) Prelude over 1000m at Sandown Lakeside at his second race start. Behind him that day were Snort (2nd) and Mentality (4th).
In those days he was trained by Lee Freedman and he did have huge wraps on him after winning his first two starts - followed by an unlucky 4th in the Blue Diamond (c&g) Prelude Group 3 at Caulfield behind Due Sasso, with Wonderful World 2nd. He then went to Adelaide and started a very short-priced favourite when winning by 4 lengths the MAS Magic Million Adelaide 2yo 1200m. On merit of this he was sent to Sydney to contest the Golden Slipper Stakes where he would finish midfield behind Miss Finland. A very promising first campaign that saw him return $430,750 in prizemoney and promise great things for the future.
Then the wheels fell off.
It would take 15 starts between the 8th of April 2006 and the 27th of October 2007 before Kaphero would win again. He had been in the racing wilderness. Trips to Adelaide and Brisbane without success. Blinkers on and then blinkers off. And by this time a reputation as being a speedy squib.
Leon Corstens now trains Kaphero and admits that most credit goes to natural maturity rather than any magic or new training preparation. He has now trained him for 15 of his 27 career starts and 7 of his 10 wins.
"I know Lee Freedman had the horse before but I think I was just a bit lucky that he matured and blossomed when he was with me. But there's no special way of training him. I put him in the paddock when he looks a bit tired but there's no doubt after today he just relishes Moonee Valley.” - Leon Corstens
Now a five year old Kaphero has now recorded six wins from 8 attempts at the Moonee Valley 1000m course where he is renowned as a specialist. He won the McEwan with his typical brilliant beginning from the gates and his high cruising speed. His versatility at this course is remarkable as he has just as often sat second or third off a fast pace before zipping lengths clear on the bend. He can lead with blistering speed - or sit and stalk and sprint. And through the past 12 months always burdened in handicaps with huge weights, carrying 61.5 kg to victory on two occasions and even winning one of these by a ridiculous 3 lengths. Kaphero has also ventured away from Moonee Valley to win over the 1000m course at Sandown Hillside and be a brave second at the Gold Coast behind Sir Monashee. But it is at Moonee Valley where Kaphero is King.
Kaphero has now warranted an attempt (a quantum leap perhaps) to Group One company to contest the $350,000 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley - although this time over 1200m. Kaphero answered the challenge with his win in the McEwan at weight-for-age and will be tested and asked to step up to a new challenge to beat a premier field of sprinters over 1200m. But he will have fitness on his side and the possibility that he may obtain a cheap sectional in transit. He will make the race very interesting.
For form students:
Kaphero has raced over 1200m on 3 occasions and has a win in MAS Magic Million Adelaide 2yo to his credit. His only other 2 failures were in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and Group 3 Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
His defeats at the Moonee Valley 1000m course were a 2nd in 2006 behind Starbird and a one length behind 5th behind New Zealand speedster Ticklish in September of 2007 - this the only occasion he has been beaten at Moonee Valley since Leon Corstens trained him.
KAPHERO (2003) 5yo b h
Danzero (AUS) - Kapchat (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Trainer
Corstens, L J
10 wins from 1000m (9 times) to 1200m.
Here is a video of Kaphero at track work from the Corstens stable:
Kaphero
(photo: racingandsports.com.au)
Points for Moonee Valley Horse of the Year:
KAPHERO 23
EL SEGUNDO 18
BIRD OF FIRE 15
GOLD EDITION 15
GUNFIRE MESSIAH 14
LAURA'S CHARM 13
SYLVAN COURT 13
JOYEUSE 12
On Saturday the 24th of August Kaphero stepped out in the new racing season for the first time and once again lay the first claim to claiming the repeat title as Moonee Valley Champion. This time returning to Group Company in the Group 3 McEwan Stakes (1000m) and recording only his second black-type victory after winning the Listed Blue Preview (colts & geldings) Prelude over 1000m at Sandown Lakeside at his second race start. Behind him that day were Snort (2nd) and Mentality (4th).
In those days he was trained by Lee Freedman and he did have huge wraps on him after winning his first two starts - followed by an unlucky 4th in the Blue Diamond (c&g) Prelude Group 3 at Caulfield behind Due Sasso, with Wonderful World 2nd. He then went to Adelaide and started a very short-priced favourite when winning by 4 lengths the MAS Magic Million Adelaide 2yo 1200m. On merit of this he was sent to Sydney to contest the Golden Slipper Stakes where he would finish midfield behind Miss Finland. A very promising first campaign that saw him return $430,750 in prizemoney and promise great things for the future.
Then the wheels fell off.
It would take 15 starts between the 8th of April 2006 and the 27th of October 2007 before Kaphero would win again. He had been in the racing wilderness. Trips to Adelaide and Brisbane without success. Blinkers on and then blinkers off. And by this time a reputation as being a speedy squib.
Leon Corstens now trains Kaphero and admits that most credit goes to natural maturity rather than any magic or new training preparation. He has now trained him for 15 of his 27 career starts and 7 of his 10 wins.
"I know Lee Freedman had the horse before but I think I was just a bit lucky that he matured and blossomed when he was with me. But there's no special way of training him. I put him in the paddock when he looks a bit tired but there's no doubt after today he just relishes Moonee Valley.” - Leon Corstens
Now a five year old Kaphero has now recorded six wins from 8 attempts at the Moonee Valley 1000m course where he is renowned as a specialist. He won the McEwan with his typical brilliant beginning from the gates and his high cruising speed. His versatility at this course is remarkable as he has just as often sat second or third off a fast pace before zipping lengths clear on the bend. He can lead with blistering speed - or sit and stalk and sprint. And through the past 12 months always burdened in handicaps with huge weights, carrying 61.5 kg to victory on two occasions and even winning one of these by a ridiculous 3 lengths. Kaphero has also ventured away from Moonee Valley to win over the 1000m course at Sandown Hillside and be a brave second at the Gold Coast behind Sir Monashee. But it is at Moonee Valley where Kaphero is King.
Kaphero has now warranted an attempt (a quantum leap perhaps) to Group One company to contest the $350,000 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley - although this time over 1200m. Kaphero answered the challenge with his win in the McEwan at weight-for-age and will be tested and asked to step up to a new challenge to beat a premier field of sprinters over 1200m. But he will have fitness on his side and the possibility that he may obtain a cheap sectional in transit. He will make the race very interesting.
For form students:
Kaphero has raced over 1200m on 3 occasions and has a win in MAS Magic Million Adelaide 2yo to his credit. His only other 2 failures were in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and Group 3 Danehill Stakes at Flemington.
His defeats at the Moonee Valley 1000m course were a 2nd in 2006 behind Starbird and a one length behind 5th behind New Zealand speedster Ticklish in September of 2007 - this the only occasion he has been beaten at Moonee Valley since Leon Corstens trained him.
KAPHERO (2003) 5yo b h
Danzero (AUS) - Kapchat (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Trainer
Corstens, L J
10 wins from 1000m (9 times) to 1200m.
Here is a video of Kaphero at track work from the Corstens stable:
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