Hello Captain has compensated for a troublesome recent performance by achieving his fourth victory from six starts at Rosehill. Trainer Chris Waller suggests that the three-year-old’s potential is boundless if he can improve his stamina.
The gelding triumphed over 1300m in the Find Your Stakes Winner @ The Chase Handicap on Saturday. Waller expressed his belief that if Hello Captain can extend his current form to a mile, he could compete in more significant races.
“In terms of distance, I think he can get to a mile and if he can get to a mile, he can get to a good race. Maybe an Epsom Handicap,” Waller said.
“Timing-wise, it’s hard to predict when he gets there, and distance-wise we’re still learning about the horse.
“But he’s settling better than he has ever settled before and he’s showing a good turn of foot.”
With stable apprentice Siena Grima allowing him to find his rhythm, Hello Captain ($1.65 favourite according to leading betting apps Australia) experienced a clear passage to victory by 2-1/4 lengths. Sequista ($7.50) finished second, demonstrating her usual game effort, while Attractiveness ($9) secured third place.
This win was a welcome redemption for the gelding’s previous fourth-place finish behind Cheeky Smirk, where he was severely held up before finishing strongly once clear.
Although Waller sees Hello Captain as a potential stakes-grade competitor, he is currently content for the horse to gain experience in Saturday races and accumulate prizemoney.
“Sydney races, they’re worth $160,000 every Saturday, fifty-two weeks a year,” Waller commented.
“It’s hard to knock it back when they’re on every week, so I think we keep going through his grades.
“Maybe he doesn’t have to run every two weeks like we normally do. We can pick out a race in three or four weeks, and we might get longevity out of him that way.”
Hello Captain’s victory gave Grima a double, following her earlier success with the exciting two-year-old Omolong, placing her level with Braith Nock in the race for the Sydney apprentices’ premiership.
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