Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
The ‘semi-retired’ horseman, who trained at ‘The Heath’ until 2001, has only saddled up one juvenile winner from a handful of runners since the 2010/11 season, however, the precocity of Capitalist’s progeny left him with little reason not to showcase Turnbull’s $720,000 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase before Christmas.
Kiko as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She’s (Kiko) a filly that’s always worked well but I’ve kept her very contained in her three jump-outs and gallops because she can race a bit fierce if you try to see what she can do on the clock,” Conlan told TDN AusNZ.
“We’re going to find out if there’s anything there on Saturday and whether she’s going to measure up to this class, but she gives you the feel that she will, and all her track riders have told me there’s a motor there.”
Conlan described Kiko as a ‘lovely type’ who is mature enough to cope with the rigours of early racing but also noted the prevalence of stakes-performed milers on her American and Canadian centric pedigree page.
Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm
She is out of 1600 metre G2 Woodbine Nassau S. winner Sky Treasure (USA) (Sky Mesa {USA}), making her a half-sister to 1800 metre G3 Del Mar Native Diver S. winner Azul Coast (USA) (Super Saver {USA}).
“Yes, she is early, but the female side of her family was full of horses who matured into themselves as three-and 4-year-olds,” Conlan said.
“Although I’m hoping the Capitalist aspect gives her that fast, precocious attitude that we need at the moment and then she may well continue improving as she gets older.”
"I’m hoping the Capitalist aspect gives her (Kiko) that fast, precocious attitude that we need at the moment and then she may well continue improving as she gets older." - Jim Conlan
Damian Lane will be instructed to ride Kiko ‘neutral’ from barrier four and keep her in a relaxed rhythm for as long as possible, according to Conlan.
He said Kiko has shown enough speed at home to take up a prominent position in the run and that she is all but certain to press on towards January’s R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic if she produces a forward showing on Saturday.
“It’s (Magic Millions) seven weeks away from Saturday and if she (Kiko) proves she’s up to the standard required to run in a race of that calibre she will be going there (Gold Coast) but her performance will define what plans we make,” Conlan said.
Doll to debut
Marincanto Doll will also represent Conlan’s stable in the Merson Cooper after the daughter of Pride Of Dubai pleased in a Caulfield jump-out on November 16.
Pride Of Dubai | Standing at Coolmore Stud
He said Marincanto Doll, like Kiko, has earned the right to prove herself pre-Christmas, saying that he isn’t stepping the duo out in the hope of attracting new clientele.
“She’s (Marincanto Doll) a very nice filly, she’s completely straightforward, has a great attitude toward everything, is very relaxed and copes with everything you put before her,” Conlan said.
“She’s in a similar position to Kiko, she hasn’t been squeezed too hard and she has got to this level under her own steam.
“She’s (Marincanto Doll) in a similar position to Kiko, she hasn’t been squeezed too hard and she has got to this level under her own steam." - Jim Conlan
“The plan will be to ride her in a similar fashion (to Kiko) but she has shown a bit of toe out of the gates and will put herself up on the speed. So, I expect a very forward performance from her on Saturday.”
A $20,000 2020 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale purchase by Future Horse, Marincanto Doll is out of a half-sister to G1 Vinery Stud S. winner Mirjulisa Lass (Danasinga), making her a half-sister to G3 Thoroughbred Club S. runner-up New York Baby (Written Tycoon).
Marincanto Doll as a weanling | Image courtesy of Inglis
G1 HKJC Stewards' Cup winner Seasons Bloom (Captain Sonador) and G2 QTC Cup hero Pembleton (Marauding {NZ}) feature in this family.
Conlan reflects on Caulfield closure
Conlan, who started his career with legendary former Caulfield-based horseman Colin Little as an 18-year-old in 1978 was sad to see ‘The Heath’ close as a training complex this week despite vacating his boxes to Peter Moody back in 2001.
Jim Conlan
He holds fond memories of his eight-year tenure from 1993 to 2001 as a member of the iconic trainers' tower, particularly the latter years which were bolstered by star mare Miss Pennymoney. She was placed in multiple Caulfield features such as the G1 CF Orr S., G1 Futurity S., G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) on debut.
The Nick Turnbull-owned mare was Conlan’s first top-flight winner when beating Redoute’s Choice in the G1 Australia S. at Moonee Valley in 2000 before adding the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington to her resume the following year.
“Caulfield was the most profitable time in my life, financially, it was a lot of fun there, everyone seemed to get on very well for whatever reason, and we just realised that we had to just make it work as going in every day would’ve been quite unpleasant,” Conlan said.
"Caulfield was the most profitable time in my life, financially, it was a lot of fun there, everyone seemed to get on very well for whatever reason." - Jim Conlan
“While it is disappointing Caulfield is closing, I remember riding a horse and leading another two blocks from Caulfield when I started with Colin (Little) in 1978 and now you wouldn’t do it in a fit with all of the traffic around.”
While 20 years removed from his Caulfield ‘heydays’ a bold showing from Kiko on Saturday would take Conlan on a trip down memory lane.
“She (Miss Pennymoney) was a fantastic mare for us, it was such a great time, and Nick’s (Turnbull) just been a beauty, he’s a good mate of mine who has been around since my mid-20s and to share a win on Saturday (with Kiko) would be great,” Conlan said.
