Shall Not extends straight streak with Capalaba win
Shall Not stormed down the Capalaba stretch on Sunday like a dog possessed, taking out his first race in Queensland and adding to his impressive record.
The Darren Sultana chaser had saluted in his 10 previous starts down the 324m straight at Richmond in emphatic fashion, winning by a combined 40 lengths.
After trialling at the Capalaba track a fortnight ago, he lined up at the boxes as a $2.45 favourite and his trainer was impressed with the run.
“It was a good run. He made a couple of mistakes at the start which I don't know why as he has never done that before,” Sultana said.
“But to get back on his feet and do what he did I was really happy with it.
“I just want to give him every possible chance and wanted to give him another look at the track in race conditions.
“He has that now and it should all come down to box draw as he is race ready.”
The Tony Brett-trained Panama Canal ($3.30) ran second, adding to his consistent record (32: 20-2-2), and Feel The Magic — out of the Garry Gilbert kennel — finished third while adding meat to dividends as a $4.20 place chance.
Capalaba R8 replay – June 4, 2023
Winner: Shall Not (19.53)
Sultana also trained Mr America, who finished his career with 27 wins, eight placings and $100,050 in prize money from 45 starts.
He holds the record over the 324m at Richmond in a time of 17.11, while Shall Not's best time is 17.18 at the track and distance.
Sultana said although he had some kennelmates that ran well up the straight, he did not like giving Shall Not competition from in-house.
“I don't like putting them against him at Richmond,” he said.
“I never like having two dogs in the one race as they go against each other and get stuck, so they go around the circle there mostly.
“At the time I had a fair few of them going around the circle, so I decided to put him (Shall Not) up the straight.
“He just kept winning, so I kept sending him up the straight at Richmond.”
Shall Not now heads towards the Listed Straight of Origin on June 18 at Capalaba with hopes to continue his streak up the straight.
“Hopefully he can stay sound and keep racing well,” Sultana said.