Vaughan Marshall has found the special Captain Al juvenile colt in every recent year, and this one looks a more than worthy successor to William Longsword, Tap O’Noth and One World.
He led from the jump, and the entire field was under pressure a full 400m out. The race was over as a contest shortly afterwards, and he came home six lengths clear with MJ Byleveld looking for the opposition.
“He’s very good and won very impressively” said Marshall who indicated that his next appearance was likely to be in the Langerman.
When asked how he manages to find the best Captain Al every year his smiling one word reply was “eyes”.
Bernard Fayd’Herbe was injured pre-race when Minnesota Dream played up in the stalls and was scratched. Luckily x-rays on his injured foot revealed nothing broken.
On a day of upsets both headlining events were won by outsiders.
First bottom weight Aldato won the MR86 over 2000m after finding some inspired support from 16-1 into 8-1.
Then in the MR80 over 1600, Jailhouse Rock (16-1) upstaged his highly fancied stable companion Nexus(14-10).
He came from last up the inside rail to win comfortably by a length and three quarters.