Capital Gain to have Deagon barrier trial

Group One winner Capital Gain will run in a barrier trial to prepare for his next assignment.

Trainer Paul Butterworth is having a short family holiday this week but his mind will be on business when stable star Capital Gain runs in a barrier trial at Deagon.

Capital Gain won the Group One J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) in June and Butterworth has deliberately set him a light summer carnival.

Things haven’t gone 100 per cent right this campaign after Capital Gain shifted a plate when he trialled last month before running sixth in the Winning Rupert Plate (1200m) on December 2.

Butterworth was far from disappointed with Capital Gain’s effort in the Winning Rupert.

“He ended up over near the fence and that isn’t where he likes to be. Jim (Byrne) thought the only way to win, the way the race panned out, was to take the short-cuts on the fence,” Butterworth said.

“It isn’t the way Capital Gain likes to race. He likes to get wide and work into the race before finishing quickly.”

Capital Gain missed Saturday’s Gold Edition Plate but Butterworth is not worried about a month between runs.

He said Capital Gain would trial on Tuesday and that would keep him ticking over for the Vo Rogue Plate (1350m) on December 30.

“At this stage of his career the 1200 metres is usually going to be too short and the 1350 will be far better for him,” Butterworth said.

“Our plan all along has been for a light summer and then to get ready for the Australian Derby in the autumn.”

“I can hardly wait to get him out to a middle distance. I have been saying since his early days he would make a good stayer.”

Capital Gain is raced by a large syndicate, many of them first timers, and they have knocked back several big offers for him.

“They are keen to have the fun of racing him,” Butterworth said.