The classy Geoff Woodruff-trained Captain Al gelding Val Et Al came back to something of his early promise at Turffontein on Saturday with a facile victory in the R125 000 Egoli Mile.
The Avontuur bred Val Et Al had shown signs of being a fellow with a future when winning his first two starts on the bounce. But after losing his way in midstream, gelding seems to have done the trick for an athlete obviously loaded with ability.
Chase Maujean gears Val Et Al down at the line for an easy win (Pic – JC Photos)
Saturday’s showing, albeit in a low-key non black-type feature, was a sign that Val Et Al is on his way to delivering on his promise and the manner in which he disposed of the highly thought of Irish Pride suggested there is plenty in the tank.
Fresh off a smart win three weeks back, Irish Pride was striding freely out front with Val Et Al relaxed in third some four lengths off.
At the 400m, Chase Maujean asked the Woodruff charge for his effort and he lengthened his stride and drew off to win unextended by 3,25 lengths in a time of 95,49 secs.
Kangaroo Jack ran past a tiring Irish Pride late in the race to snare second position, with Count Tassilo a well beaten fourth.
Chase Maujean said that Val Et Al’s last run in the Listed Sea Cottage Stakes ‘wasn’t his run’ –“ he really needed it,” he observed.
Trainer Geoff Woodruff confirmed that Val Et Al had lost his way after making a good start to his career. “He came through his gelding well and is a classy horse with serious prospects,” he said.
He is owned by the Shawe brothers.
The Avontuur bred Val Et Al has won 3 races with 1 place from 6 starts for stakes of R189 375.
A R700 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate, he is a 3yo gelded son of Captain Al out of the one-time winning Var mare, Valeta.
