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Trainer Michael Grantham scraps Belmont and Kalgoorlie aims for Ascot carnival prospect Kaptain Kaos

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Jay RooneyThe West Australian
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Trainer Michael Grantham has shelved Idyllic Prince Stakes and Hannans Handicap plans for Kaptain Kaos.
Camera IconTrainer Michael Grantham has shelved Idyllic Prince Stakes and Hannans Handicap plans for Kaptain Kaos. Credit: Simon Merritt/Simon Merritt / Western Racepix

Trainer Michael Grantham has shelved Idyllic Prince Stakes and Hannans Handicap plans for Kaptain Kaos but could have an ideal replacement in impressive first-up winner, Comes A Time.

Grantham was keen to freshen Kaptain Kaos for Saturday week’s Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont Park and the Hannans Handicap (1400m) at Kalgoorlie next month.

However, the Hyperion Stakes (1600m) winner needed a longer break after running eighth to Prince Turbo in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) in June.

“When I saw him in the paddock he hadn’t let down properly, so there was no point in rushing him,” Grantham said.

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“I just brought him back in last week and he’ll come back for Ascot.

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“He might go to the Asian Beau or Lee-Steere first-up.”

Kaptain Kaos will be given another shot at the $1.5 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) after running 12th to Western Empire last year.

Grantham could also have quality galloper Windstorm and brilliant Raconteur Stakes-Belmont Guineas winner Devoted lining up in the Railway.

Kaptain Kaos wins the 2022 Hyperion Stakes for trainer Michael Grantham and jockey Chris Parnham
Camera IconKaptain Kaos wins the 2022 Hyperion Stakes for trainer Michael Grantham and jockey Chris Parnham Credit: Simon Merritt/Simon Merritt / Western Racepix

In the meantime, the young trainer is plotting a path towards the Hannans for Comes A Time after his 1000m victory under 60.5kg at Belmont last Saturday.

The former Justin Warwick-trained gelding has finished in the top two at all seven starts for Grantham.

“He came through the run super and he needed it,” Grantham said.

“He was a bit fat so it should bring him on. He’ll go to the Idyllic Prince if all’s well.

Comes A Time wins at Belmont for jockey Clint Johnston-Porter
Camera IconComes A Time wins at Belmont for jockey Clint Johnston-Porter Credit: Sharyn Walker/Sharyn Walker / Western Racepix

“I’d love to have him and Son Of A God in the Hannans.”

Son Of A God, another new acquisition for Grantham’s stable, won seven races including the Grandstand Cup (1500m) for trainer Simon Miller.

“He’ll race in the Jolly Beggar Stakes and Nicopolis Stakes before going to the Hannans,” Grantham said.

“We could also look at the Northam Cup if he goes well. He’s a good horse.”

The Jolly Beggar Stakes (1000m) is on September 3, followed by the Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.

Harness trainer Gary Hall Sr will face a stewards’ inquiry on Thursday after an illegal level of arsenic was detected in post-race samples from Jumpingjackmac (Gloucester Park, June 3) and Scarlet Ribbon (Pinjarra, June 13).

It is expected to be the latest in a string of cases where horses chewing treated pine posts is to blame for the positive arsenic swabs.

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