Captain Of All (Sean Cormack) asserts his authority to win a top race
Dennis Drier trained Captain Of All confirmed his status as the leading male sprinter in South Africa when he stormed to an emphatic victory in Saturday’s R1 million Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint at Scottsville.
The lightly raced dual Gr1 winner is unbeaten in five starts over 1200m and put the seal on a future career as a stallion when he beat a strong field on handicap terms, with a blistering turn of foot at the 400m marker.
His win also marked a Gr1 double on the day for trainer Dennis Drier, owners Ingrid and Markus Jooste as well as champion stallion Captain Al.
With plenty of debate about the draw bias at the Scottsville track, the field of sixteen looked competitive and wide open. But the money came for Captain Of All who went off at 7-2, with Willow Magic a popular order at 4-1.
The start was delayed as Cape visitor Brutal Force was taken out of the stalls and examined by the Vet, before being passed fit to race.
They eventually got away on terms and it was Bret Crawford’s Gulf Storm who showed good pace throughout, ahead of Flyfirstclass and Barbosa.
At the 400m marker Captain Of All came through powerfully down the middle of the track and looked to be going by far the best of all.
With little else running on, Sean Cormack’s move worked a charm as Captain Of All skipped away and beat the strong finishing Gulf Storm by by 1,25 lengths in a time of 69,17 secs.
The ever-present Gulf Storm received the best turned out horse accolade in the pre-race parade and really ran his heart out to hang on for second cheque.
Mike Miller’s Sheik’s Brashee stormed through late to nab the third cheque and in the process boost trifectas and quartets.
Sean Cormack – ten Gr1’s at Scottsville
Recent Camellia Stakes winner Bichette shaded her stablemate Willow Magic for fourth. Willow Magic looked threatening late but failed to go through with his effort.
Last year’s winner Normanz finished eighth and flattered only briefly down the outside.
The Alec Laird trained Chekilli sadly went wrong during the running and was pulled out of the race.
Sean Cormack, who received an accolade for having ridden his tenth Gr1 at the track was impressed by the performance. He has ridden Captain Of All at every one of his eleven outings.
“He is the best sprinter in South Africa. I preached the race to Derek Brugman and wasn’t concerned that he would be lumping topweight. And it panned out well. He responded at the 400m and kicked away,” he said.
Gill Drier, Derek Brugman and Dennis Drier lead Captain Of All in after his scintillating win
Trainer Dennis Drier, on a high after his sensational Gr1 double, confirmed that the decision to give Captain Of All a long break, had paid massive dividends.
“Thanks to the owners for their patience. It is frustrating when you have something special and have to throw him out. He missed most of his three year old season. He needed the long break and I always felt he would benefit. He came in so well and has done fantastically. It is a tribute to our team back home. This wouldn’t be happening without them.”
Jooste Racing Manager Derek Brugman confirmed that Captain Of All has secured himself a career at stud and that he would be headed in that direction. He is likely to make his farewell appearance in the Mercury Sprint.
Captain Of All has now won 6 races with 4 places from 11 starts for stakes of R1 783 100.
He is a graduate of the Klawervlei Farm Sale and was purchased by trainer Dennis Drier on behalf of owner Markus Jooste.
Bred by Riverton Stud, he is by Captain Al out of the once winning Fard mare, Serious Side.
Breeder Duncan Barry is on record as saying that Captain Of All had an off set knee – the reason they didn’t target the bigger sales with him. He said that he had purchased Captain Of All’s dam Serious Side (by Fard) while she was in training with Martin Cohen in PE.
“When I looked at Captain Of All’s dam Serious Side in the sales catalogue, I wondered exactly what had made me buy her! But then she is well related on her own dam’s side and the family produced some good winners from largely ordinary stallions,” said Barry.
The next Klawervlei Farm Sale will be held on 21 June.
Read more about that event here.
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Gr1 Tsogo Sun Sprint (SAf-Gr1)
Scottsville, South Africa, May 23, R1 million, 1200m, turf, good, 1.09.17
1 – CAPTAIN OF ALL (SAF), 60.0, b c 4, Captain Al (SAF) – Serious Side (SAF) by Fard (IRE). Owner Mrs I Jooste & Mr M J Jooste; Breeder Riverton Stud; trainer DR Drier; jockey S Cormack
2 – Gulf Storm (SAF), 56.5, b g 4, Sail From Seattle (USA) – Royal Drummer (SAF) by Kilconnel (USA)
3 – Sheik’s Brashee (SAF), 53.5, b g 4, The Sheik (SAF) – Sleek Braashee (SAF) by Braashee (GB)
Margins: 1.25, 0.50, 1.00
