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Gold Coast trainer Marcus Wilson’s long wait for a serious Queensland Racing Carnival contender through the winter could soon be over if progressive three-year-old Captain Fenkel completes a hat-trick of city wins at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Marcus Wilson has ambitious Queensland Derby plans in mind with the son of Kermadec who steps out in distance to 1600 metres for the first time in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.
Captain Fenkel broke his maiden status with a runaway win by nearly four lengths over 1350 metres at Doomben last month.
He then led for a dominant win against his own age over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on February 3.
Leading jockey James Orman was aboard the gelding both times and has retained the ride.
"He's a lovely three-year-old and I've always had high hopes for him but this will be his biggest test to date on Saturday," Wilson said.
"I bought him for $14,000 as a yearling at the Magic Millions March sales and he's always shown plenty of ability.
"He's been trouble free right through his career and he's put his hand up every time we raised the bar with him. He's a very progressive type who is bred to get over a trip."
Wilson has always believed Captain Fenkel will stay and will give him every chance to head to the Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400 metres at Eagle Farm.
"His last win was very good and he ticked a lot of boxes that day," Wilson said.
"He got left in front by default so he showed he's versatile."
Wilson will see how Captain Fenkel handles his first 1600 metre test before deciding whether to step him up to 1800 metres a fortnight later or head for a short break.
"He's got a stout pedigree and is out of a Savabeel mare so hopefully he should stay," Wilson said.
"He'll probably start off in the Daybreak Lover when he comes back from a short break and then run in the Queensland Guineas over 1600 metres.
"I'll see how he's going at the time and we'll see if he goes to the Rough Habit and Derby after that."
A shot at the Queensland Derby will be Wilson's third attempt after Meteorologist contested the race in 2014 while Amalgamation finished down the track last year.
Wilson has 30 horses in work at the Gold Coast after starting his career at Inverell in NSW.
He served a long apprenticeship working for his father John Wilson before starting off training with one horse.
"Dad still helps around the stable driving the trucks and does a lot of the chiropractic work for the stable," he said.
