The lightly campaigned class act Captain Fontane proved that he could yet fulfill his true potential and probably booked his Indpenedent On Saturday Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes berth with an impressive victory in the R90 000 non black-type Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday.
Former champion jockey Garth Puller is one of the most accomplished horsemen in the SA training ranks and there was clear satisfaction on a plan slowly coming together after the talented 5yo stepped up to the 1500m and won with ears pricked to make it two wins on the trot and put his hand up for a couple of the forthcoming SA Champions Season features.
Easy does it for Serino Moodley and Captain Fontane (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
“If he is a happy horse, he will always put in a good performance. He was a bit keen when he ran in the Drill Hall last season when Mr Ferraris brought him down from the Highveld. And thanks to my team. Sizwe Magazana, who took the horse into quarantine in Johannesburg when he was on his way to Hong Kong, returned from leave to look after his favourite horse. And Siphesihle ‘Spare’ Hlengwa did a lot of work. He is a little inexperienced still to have ridden him here, but his time will come. He has a bright future,” added Puller proudly as he also thanked his yard sponsors, Hollywoodbets.
Allowed by Winning Form rider Serino Moodley to relax near the rear early as Lady Legend made the pace, Captain Fontane (18-10) stretched with ears pricked to win easily in a time of 90,93 secs.
The consistent Ideal Act (33-10) had a big ask at the weights but ran another honest race in second.
Moodley conceded that he had ‘begged’ for the ride over a bit of ground.
A R1 million National Yearling Sale purchase selected by veteran Ormond Ferraris for David Ferraris and Hong Kong owner David Hui, Captain Fontane has won 6 races with 3 places from his 13 starts for stakes of R360 500.
Bred by Cheveley Stud he is by deceased champion Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of Grade 3-winning Joshua Dancer mare Spring Lilac, who is a half-sister to the like of champions Bela-Bela and Rabiya.
Captain Fontane is a full-brother to the dual Gr1 winner Snowdance.
Puller enjoyed a double on the day to edge ever closer to his half century of term winners mark with the impressive La Berg Stud-bred 3yo Masterbling winning well on his 1000m debut under Sporting Post jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa.
Probably defying his pedigree to a degree, the son of Master Of My Fate is out of a speedy Parade Leader mare and should be more effective over further.
Some of the winning partnership had only gotten involved a week earlier and there is still 50% up for grabs. That shouldn’t be long in being taken up!
The Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge bonus jackpot of R1 275 000 was won by Merewent pensioner ‘Blaikes’. What a story – read more here.
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