Newsletter March 2009
Captain Al's stock continues in rise. In March he was represented by no fewer than 12 individual winners. This tally included the feature race winner, Captain Corageous.
Captain Corageous lived up to his name when winning the Listed Drum Star Handicap. The Lance Wiid trained runner showed plenty of grit to win the 1800 meter race, whilst giving runner up Tap Tap three pounds. The gelding, now a nine time winner, had previously run fourth to the very classy Senor Versace at his previous start. Out of the well bred Royal Jubilee, the multiple stakes winning Captain Corageous has now won over R700,000 in stakes money.
Captain Al is enjoying a great season with his juveniles, and Never Forever, Captain's Cheer and La Dazzle gave the former Guineas winner a juvenile treble during the last month. Never Forever put up an impressive debut, when defeating the stakes performer Festival Spirit first time out. Out of the classy National Assembly mare National Vixen, Never Forever looks to have a bright future.
Captains Cheer at Durbanville 25 March
Captain's Cheer was rewarded for consistency when winning for the red hot Joey Ramsden yard at Durbanville. The colt had been third in each of his previous starts, but proved too strong for the well fancied Persepolis and, whilst winning only narrowly, won going away. He is out of the winning Pole Position mare Joy To The Fore.
La Dazzle was second in her first two outings before going one better. She put a good performance to comfortably hold the attentions of runner up Timeless by a length. La Dazzle is out La Intrigue, the latter being an own sister to Met winner La Fabulous.
Charles Laird trains the promising Space Captain. The lightly raced three-year-old won his third race from just six starts at the Vaal earlier this month. Racing over 1600 miles the colt defeating other promising youngsters in Disa Leader and First National, and Space Captain looks a horse worth following over the coming months. A full brother to the useful filly Solar Voyageur.
One of the most improved performers around is the sprinter Combat Leader. He made it three wins in his last five starts, when landing a conditions race over 1100 meters. It was an impressive display from the Kotzen inmate, who was giving the runner up 17 pounds. Out of Elliodor matron Ellibi, Combat Leader has now won eight races.
Flashy grey Captain Scott won well first time out. The grey, who was third at his penultimate start in the Gr3 Tony Ruffel Handicap, defeated high-class older performers Horatio and Full Power in a Progress Plate over 1800 meters. It was a smart performance by the three-year-old, who looks to have the ability to develop into a feature race contender. Captain Scott is out of Badger Land mare Utah Hoo-Ha, and is thus bred on the same nick as the one responsible for champion Captain's Lover.
Other winners for Captain Al last month included Galahad, Captain's Gal twice, Captain Hercules, Three Captains and Naval Attack.
National Emblem is the sire of the very promising juvenile The Black Pearl. Despite losing ground at the start, The Black Pearl showed a fine turn of foot to win first time out. The Sean Tarry trained filly is a half-sister to former Summer Cup winner Wolf Whistle.
The Black Pearl winning first time out for trainer Sean Tarry
The handsome Superlative won his second race from his first three starts, when successful over 1000 meters at the Vaal last month. Trained like his sire by Charles Laird, Superlative showed plenty of resolution when accounting for the useful South Country by a short head. Whilst his pedigree suggests he should stay further, Superlative is yet to be tried over further than 1200 meters. His dam, Military Mission, is a daughter of Complete Warrior.
Secret Symbol made it two wins on the trot when winning comfortably over 2000 meters at Greyville. The nicely bred colt was given a good ride by Raymond Danielson to defeat the Tarry runner Split Decision. Secret Symbol has won or been placed in all of his last four starts. His dam, Secret Fancy, is a daughter of top racemare Fanciful.
Another consistent performer sired by National Emblem is Empowerment. Prior to breaking his maiden, Empowerment had been placed in each of his prior racecourse appearances. He gamely defeated Fair Beau to win at the Vaal over a mile. Empowerment is out of Easter Handicap winner Nicklemaid.
Other winners for National Emblem last month include Usimelika, Clare’ s Emblem, August Eight and Turf Queen.
Casey Tibbs was represented by a handful of smart winners during March.
Geoff Woodruff, who trained Casey's Oaks winning daughter Festive Occasion, trains the useful filly Windward. The latter registered her second win in just five starts when holding off runner up Model Of Love over 1800 meters last month. Windward should continue to improve with age and should add to her winning tally. Windward's dam, Entice The Wind, is a half-sister to top broodmare Grecian Gale.
Casey Cool has long been regarded as a top sprinter, and he confirmed his class by winning under 61 kilos last month. Racing over the sharp 1000 meter course at Durbanville, Casey Cool held off the speedy filly Viva to win by three parts of a length. Now a five time winner, Casey Cool had previously competed against the likes of millionaires Rebel King, Something Else and SA’s all time leading money earner Jay Peg, and the gelding clearly appreciated the drop down in class. Casey Cool is out of Some Dame, a winning sister to Gr1 winner Nobley Born.
Other recent winners for Casey include Speedy Tibbs and Casey's Spirit.
Win number 5 for Casey Cool
Martinelli had a pair of individual winners in March. His son, Martini's Way, won twice during the month for his sire. Martini's Way’s two victories were both over 1200 meters, and both times Martini's Way carried over 60 kilos. Now a five time winner, Martini's Way is out of the dual winner Killaney Road, a daughter of Northern Guest.
Mama Jack gave her sire a double in March when breaking her maiden by 3.25 lengths over a mile. She was coming into the race off a second place finish over 1800 meters. Mama Jack is out of the winning Kentucky Slew broodmare Shimmering Squaw.
