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| Sumita Pawar |
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James Harron, the majority owner of Capitalist (Aus), has high hopes for the Australian sprinter at Royal Ascot. Harron is convinced that under the guidance of trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, Cannonball (Aus) will deliver a stunning performance in the Gr. 1 King's Stand S. - granted the ground is good or better. Harron anticipates an explosive impact from the colt, leaving spectators in awe.
Cannonball's triumph in the King's Stand would not only replicate the victories of Australian legends like Nature Strip, Scenic Blast, Miss Andretti, Takeover Target, and Choisir but would also echo across the seas to Northern Ireland. And with odds at 10-1, the possibility of such a feat is not far-fetched.
Although Harron has made Australia his adopted home for over a decade and has established successful colts partnerships, his heart still yearns for the thrill of the first big meetings that first captivated him with the sport. With Cannonball, the Northern Irishman is certain that he has finally found the perfect horse to make the arduous journey worthwhile.
Harron's Heart Yearns For Thrill
He said, “I truly believe that we haven't seen the best of Cannonball yet and I am hoping and praying for a fast track at Ascot on the Tuesday. If we get that, you will see a very big performance.
“You'll see him in the mounting yard and be able to point him out as the big Aussie sprinter–he's a magnificent animal, big and strong. He really does command a lot of presence in the ring and is cut out for the job.”
Harron added, “It would be absolutely huge if he were to be successful. Hard to put it into words, I guess. It would certainly be one of my career highlights and it's just wonderful to be able to bring a lot of the owners over from Australia so, for them to be able to experience what Royal Ascot offers, and if he could be successful, it would be an experience that money couldn't buy.
As a two-time winner of The Everest, with victories aboard Redzel (Aus) in 2017 and Giga Kick (Aus) last year, he also holds a coveted slot in the race.
In addition to managing high-profile owner portfolios and broodmare bands, he's a savvy player in the global bloodstock market, having acquired Cannonball for a cool AU$975,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. While passing up on lucrative opportunities in his home country, he's set his sights on the royal meeting, recognizing the potential to create a stallion with worldwide appeal.
Cannonball Takes On Royal Ascot
He said, “Being from Ireland myself, Royal Ascot is something that will always be in the back of my head when I potentially have the right horse to travel across. We were always thinking that Cannonball's profile fitted the bill given his best distance is five to five-and-a-half furlongs. Now, he may get six furlongs strongly as he gets older and more seasoned but, right now, the King's Stand trip looks to be in his wheelhouse.
“The other thing with this horse, he's run three or four times on soft ground and he just doesn't like it whatsoever-he's very ineffective on it. We were aware of that coming into the autumn, when he got his ground when returning from a decent break to beat the older horses at Rosehill and then he backed that up a week later to run third–unlucky not to be second–in a Group 1.
“That gave us the confidence to pull the trigger on Royal Ascot. He's on the up and is improving. We got together with all the connections to discuss it and we just had the confidence that Cannonball was the right horse to have a go at Royal Ascot with,” Harron added.