Group I Triumph for Ad Valorem's Capital Gain

It's been a big day at Doomben for ex Woodlands stallions Ad Valorem (USA), Domesday and Lonhro who claimed the days three Group I features.

First off the rank was the now Cangon Stud domiciled Ad Valorem (USA) who celebrated a maiden Group I winner with the two-year-old gelding Capital Gain in the $600,000 Group I BMW JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m).

If not for a battalion of owners, Capital Gain may well have been sold to Hong Kong interests for $700,000 last week and deny trainer Paul Butterworth his first winner at the elite level (read the story on Racenet here).

It's been a busy season for Capital Gain whose only win in his seven previous starts came at the Gold Coast at his second start.

At his most recent start, Capital Gain was a distant fifth behind Melody Belle in the BRC Sires at Eagle Farm two weeks ago but had that filly three lengths behind in tenth place on Saturday.

With Jim Byrne in the saddle, Capital Gain stormed home to defeat Aloisia (Azamour) by a neck with the luckless Taking Aim (Choisir) three-quarter of a length back in third after racing three and four wide the trip.(photos Steve Hart)

With two wins and three seconds from 8 starts, Capital Gain takes his earnings to $452,300.

 "I knew he had it in him, but now it has happened it is pretty amazing," Butterworth said.

"I just wanted him to get to an outside position in the run and just let him roll because that hadn't happened in the past.

"This horse had shown Group I ability from day one but we have been frustrated with getting inside horses.'

"I picked him out on breeding because I like the Ad Valorem breed and then l Iiked the look of him. I told my wife that he was the horse I really wanted," Butterworth told AAP.

"I have always said he is a Caulfield Cup horse as a four-year-old," Butterworth said.

"We have knocked back big offers for a reason and those offers have been there for a reason."

Passed in short of his $20,000 reserve at the 2016 Magic Millions Yearling sale, Capital Gain was knocked down to Pharout Syndications/Paul Butterworth for $50,000 at the Gold Coast 2yo in Training Sale last October.

He is the second foal of the winning Delzao mare Zuzao whose granddam Darling Take Care (Bending Away) won the Group II Edward Manifold Stakes and Group III Leilani Stakes.

Zuzao has not been served for the past two seasons.

Capital Gain becomes the 14^th stakes winner for Danzig's Group I Middle Park Stakes and Group I Queen Anne Stakes hero Ad Valorem (USA) who covered just 12 mares last season at a fee of $4,400.