Hello Captain dominates Rosehill with strong win
Hello Captain has erased the memory of a frustrating last-start run by extending his impressive record to four wins from six starts at Rosehill. Trainer Chris Waller is optimistic about the three-year-old's future, suggesting his potential is vast if he can develop his stamina.
The gelding secured victory over 1300m in the Find Your Stakes Winner @ The Chase Handicap held on Saturday. Waller commented that if Hello Captain can translate his current brilliance to a mile, he could be a contender in more prestigious races.
"In terms of distance, I think he can get to a mile and if he can get to a mile, he can get to a good race. Maybe an Epsom Handicap," Waller said.
"Timing-wise, it's hard to predict when he gets there, and distance-wise we're still learning about the horse.
"But he's settling better than he has ever settled before and he's showing a good turn of foot."
Under the guidance of stable apprentice Siena Grima, who allowed him to settle, Hello Captain ($1.65 favourite according to leading betting apps Australia) experienced an unobstructed run to cross the line 2-1/4 lengths ahead of Sequista ($7.50), who ran her typical honest race, with Attractiveness ($9) finishing in third.
The gelding's win served as compensation for his previous fourth place behind Cheeky Smirk, where he faced significant traffic issues before finishing strongly once clear.
While Waller acknowledges Hello Captain's aptitude for stakes company, he is content for the horse to continue competing in Saturday grade races for the time being, focusing on building his earnings.
"Sydney races, they're worth $160,000 every Saturday, fifty-two weeks a year," Waller remarked.
"It's hard to knock it back when they're on every week, so I think we keep going through his grades.
"Maybe he doesn't have to run every two weeks like we normally do. We can pick out a race in three or four weeks, and we might get longevity out of him that way."
Hello Captain's triumph provided Grima with a double, complementing her earlier win on the exciting two-year-old Omolong, placing her level with Braith Nock in the pursuit of the Sydney apprentices' premiership.
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