Talented mare on a Group One path

Capella has at least one top-flight feature on her summer programme.

The Rip Van Winkle mare showed she was approaching her best form again when she finished a close last-start second when resuming at Ellerslie earlier this month.

“I’m very happy with her, it was a good run and a bit of a relief really,” trainer Danica Guy said.

“It was a nice effort going forward – we’re looking at the Rich Hill Mile and maybe the Thorndon Mile and then the Herbie Dyke Stakes.

“The Herbie Dyke is her main target and a trip to Trentham for the Thorndon will depend on her next run.”

Capella enjoyed a strong three-year-old season, which saw her successful in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic before she went to Sydney.

She performed creditably to finish fifth and seventh in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes and the Gr.1 ATC Oaks respectively.

She was spelled on her return, but was then well below par in Group One appearances in the Makfi Challenge Stakes and the Windsor Park Plate during the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

“She was working well and eating well and the signs were good, but when we took her to the races there was just no petrol in the tank,” Guy said.