Tony McEvoy is racing away with the Adelaide trainers’ premiership and his lead at the top of the table increased with a winning treble on Saturday.

A former Lindsay Park lieutenant, McEvoy has now prepared 40 city winners this season after the Morphettville victories of Pilot’s Lane (Testa Rossa), Prince Of Capers (Arena) and Harmonic (Delago Brom).

Prince Of Capers (6g Arena – Palace Capers by Archregent) won races at Warwick Farm (2) and Randwick for Lomar Park owner Fred Peisah before transferring to McEvoy in May 2011.

The Arena gelding scored his third win since changing hands with an on-pace victory in the P & R Electrical Hcp (1250m) on Saturday.  He was racing first-up since April and had a half-length to spare over Penzevengi (Redoute’s Choice).

Prince Of Capers has been a handy money-spinner for McEvoy and his Kildalton Park partner Wayne Mitchell.  First-time owner Graham Fischer is also among the syndicate that races the flashy chestnut.  “He is a nice horse and will be suited when we step him up to distances between 1400m and 1800m,” McEvoy said.  “And winter tracks will be ideal over the next few months with the sting out of the ground.”

Arena was a G1 winner of the Victoria Derby and Canterbury Guineas before retiring to Lomar Park.  He has sired 192 individual winners of 504 races at an impressive 58% strike rate.  There have been 22 stakes performers among that total including G1 winners Rena’s Lady (AJC Australian Oaks) and Regal Cheer (STC Coolmore Classic).

Arena (Danehill) stands for an $8,800 (inc gst) service fee at Lomar Park alongside emerging Irish bred stallion Valixir (Tempolino).

Prince Of Capers is the sixth winner for Palace Capers and his younger brother Coliseo claimed the LR Wagga Cup last month.  Second-dam Amiable Lady (Adirondack Holme) is a half-sister to the Lomar Park bred speed machines Razor Sharp (G1 VRC Newmarket – twice) and Steel Blade (G2 AJC Challenge Stakes).

Palace Capers has a filly foal by Valixir and she was bred back to Arena last year.

PRINCE OF CAPERS
Son of Arena winning in South Australia