Sean Tarry’s champion Captain Al mare Celtic Sea delivered the goods yet again for exotic players, and made it a sparkling double to win the R200 000 Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday for the second consecutive year, with a powerful display of galloping.
Gavin Lerena drives Celtic Sea through to another class win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Gauteng jockey Gavin Lerena vindicated a difficult decision to forego his home province rides in terms of the revised NHRA protocols, and made it a sixth victory from ten starts on the evergreen 5yo, when she came out far more forward than usual, carrying the hopes of many players at 5-10.
“She came out well and going through the 700m she started picking it up. That’s never ideal in this wind and I didn’t want to hold on – so I held her for 50m and then let her go. She is real class,” enthused Lerena, after conceding that it was ‘a big decision’ to let his Joburg rides go.
Trainer Sean Tarry said the mare ‘thrives in Cape Town’.
“It’s a happy team and being based at Eric Sands feels like home from home”.
The SA champion congratulated the breeders and said that it was an honour and privilege to train for Antony and Angela Beck.
“These colours are steeped in tradition,” he added.
Celtic Sea won mostly unchallenged in a time of 71,52 secs.
Gavin Lerena and Sean Tarry – winning moment (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
There was plenty of action behind the champion, with second-placed Favorita (40-1) finishing well and 1,75 lengths behind, but hanging right in and almost colliding with third-placed Hello Winter Hello (10-1), who was a short-head away in third.
Trainer Adam Marcus duly objected on behalf of his charge on the grounds of interference, but the Stipes didn’t see it his way and the result remain unchanged.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein, the multiple Equus champion mare is by Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the two-time winner Ireland (Mark Of Esteem).
A R325 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, the multiple Gr1 winner took her stakes total to R3 289 412 with 12 wins and 10 places from her 26 starts.
Celtic Sea doesn’t look to have completed her business down in the Cape this season.
