City cheques ahead of Chapel Road

Trainer Mick Price reckons Chapel Road will develop into a city-class horse when he fully matures at Caulfield.

The Equiano gelding looked a promising prospect when he accelerated to a three-length victory in the Sam Miranda Wines Plate (1100m) at Wodonga on Saturday. “He’s speedy and tough but just needs to get there mentally,” Price said this week. “There’s city prizemoney ahead when he does.”

Chapel Road (3g Equiano – Optimizing by Exceed And Excel) had faded first-up at Pakenham last month but the addition of ear muffs and a cross-over noseband made a marked difference. Backed into $2.30 favouritism, he was too good for fellow on-pacers Pacific Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Forty Nine Riddles (Lago Delight).

“He had been trialling really well since Pakenham,” Price added. “He’s very capable and looks a good galloper for Tony Schoormans and the other owners.”

Chapel Road was a $100,000 buy at the 2014 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale and he has two younger half-brothers by Canford Cliffs. Their dam Optimizing won 4 races up to 1200m and second dam Joan’s Best (Gold Brose) won 3 Listed sprints in New Zealand.

Equiano (Fr) shuttles to Swettenham Stud and has sired 16 individual winners of $652,000 so far this season. His last-start Inglis Premier winner Valliano can double that prizemoney in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes this Saturday.

Swettenham has entered 5 Equiano yearlings for the Melbourne Premier yearling sale and Burnewang North Pastoral has catalogued his first lot to parade – a filly from Charge Forward mare Hidden Charges (Lot 46).

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