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Caprossa Eyes Off National Sprint

3 minute read

Inform mare Caprossa will by-pass a trip to Caulfield this weekend with Paul Jones electing to keep her in Sydney with a view towards the Listed National Sprint.

Nominated to contest the Group 3 Bellmaine Stakes, Jones said he was taken aback by the strength of the nominations for the feature race given it hadn't proven a very strong race in recent years.

"The nominations were a lot stronger than last year's race and given we did meet Arinosa so poorly at the weights it sort of forced our hand to keep her racing in Sydney," Jones said.

"There are a number of Listed races coming up in the next few weeks so we'll just bide our time with her."

Having proven a model of consistency throughout her career, Jones said he was delighted with Caprossa's performance last start when finishing second behind the talented Champagne Cath.

"I was over the moon with her performance last start, everyone keeps underestimating her and they keep throwing up good odds about her," Jones said.

"To be honest I'm not sure why either, she has come back in great order this preparation and has proven very consistent.

"She's [Champagne Cath] a quality three-year-old, she was already a Listed winner coming into that race and we were giving away substantial weight, adding to that the three-year-old allowance.

Stepping up to 1300m remains a fork in the road for the daughter of Testa Rossa as if able to see the trip out Jones said he will look to target the Listed National Sprint.

"She's only had one go at the trip and it was a slowly run race where the leader kicked clear and ran home in a really quick time over 1400m," Jones said.

"She wasn't at her best that time in either so I'm sort of forgetting that preparation over 1400m and I'm just really happy with her this time in.

"She's bouncing around like she's a two-year-old and I'm happy going forward into this 1300m and I'm confident she is going to run it out.

"I think if they go slow in a 1400m race like the National Sprint, she'd be near the pace and very hard to run down."

The Joseph and Jones partnership currently head the Canberra Racing Club Trainer's Premiership and enjoying a strike of over 20 per cent on their home track, much to Jones's delight.

"I couldn't be happier with how things are going at the moment, the team is working really well," Jones said.

"I've got very good consistent track work riders at the moment and all the systems we have put in place all seem to be working and I'm very pleased with our progress."


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