British-bred Caspar Netscher, with jockey Andrew Mullen aboard for the first time, came flying between horses late to win the Grade 2 $300,000 Nearctic Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.
At the finish of the six furlong turf tilt, which attracted 10 hopefuls, Caspar Netscher had proven the best by three-quarters of a length over Black Hornet, with Calgary Cat just a neck back in third, while Excaper was a further length back in fourth. The final time was 1:08.97 over a ‘good’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
Trained by David Simcock, who last month won both the Ricoh Woodbine Mile with Trade Storm and the Northern Dancer with Sheikhzayedroad, the five-year-old son of Dutch Art-Bella Cantata was well back in sixth early, as Black Hornet, chased by Dreamsgonewild, sizzled through fractions of :22.12 and :44.52.
However, in deep stretch, Mullen was able to get Caspar Netscher to split horses, firing between Black Hornet and a looming Excaper on his right, and collared the game leader near the wire. Calgary Cat, four-wide on the extreme outside, made a stretch charge as well, but was not moving as quickly as the winner.
It was the first victory for Caspar Netscher in more than two years, but a story goes with it. He was initially sent to stud, but after proving infertile, was bought back at auction by his owner Charles Wentworth, with the intent of resuming his racing career.
“He was on his toes good at the start, but Mr. Simcock has done a brilliant job with him, primed him perfect and he’s come here the best he’s felt,” said Mullen. “I rode him in a work about three weeks ago and I knew he would need the run at Ascot (a Group 3 on October 4, when a close fifth) so coming here he was 100 per cent.
“I jumped well and they were going hard in front so I just slotted him in. I gave myself an option to go in or out and when I switched him in, I got a nice run and he picked up well all the way to the line.”
Said a thrilled Wentworth, “My hands were absolutely dripping sweat and I actually felt physically sick before the race I was so nervous. It was a long way to come and it’s a relief to have him back.
“I sold him to stud at the end of his three-year-old season (2012) and he covered 54 mares and only got three in foal. So the insurers paid out the infertility insurance and I bought him back in a sale bid, which was a gamble but it’s paid off.
“That (the race) was [amazing]. That was reminiscent of how he was at his best as a two-year-old. It’s great to have him back. It really is.”
As a two and three-year-old, he’d performed well, winning several Group races, while swelling his bankroll to over $500,000. But he hadn’t won since taking a Group 2 contest in Germany in May of 2012.
Sent postward the 9-2 third choice, behind lukewarm 3-1 co-favourites Calgary Cat and Excaper, Caspar Netscher paid $11.60, $7.70 and $3.70, combining with Black Hornet ($9.80, $6.30) for a $141.50 (7-8) exactor. A 7-8-10 (Calgary Cat, $3.40) triactor was worth $681.40, while a $1 Superfecta [7-8-10-5 (Excaper)] returned $1,237.50.
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