Where Are They? Anthony Delpech looks for opposition as Captain Lars wins the Listed Drum Star Handicap (JC Photos)
The Captain Al gelding Captain Lars has some way to go yet to make up his purchase price but he is going about things the right way. He took his next step up the ladder by winning the R150 000 Listed Drum Star Handicap run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.
The lightly raced Mike De Kock charge was well programmed in a confidence building winning streak in KZN and turned the tables on Sean Tarry’s Halve The Deficit, who had beaten him a head in the Listed Wolf Power 1600 in February.
Captain Lars now looks set for better things and did the job the hard way by leading from the break under an inspired ride by the in form Anthony Delpech, who enjoyed a rewarding day at the office.
Captain Lars withstood a late challenge from a determined Piere Strydom who brought Halve The Deficit through with a late challenge.
But Captain Lars had plenty to come and showed his appreciation for the extra 200m by staying on very smartly to win by 1,75 lengths in a time of 112,47 secs.
Another feature winner for the champion Mike De Kock
He went off joint favourite with Halve The Deficit, who was just not good enough on the day and had to be content with second.
The Gary Alexander team had the disappointment of seeing their star Meissa withdrawn at the start after some unruly behaviour.
The Klawervlei Sud bred Captain Lars is by Captain Al out of the Polar Falcon mare Polar Charge, who won twice in Italy and was also Gr1 placed.
He is a lovely specimen and cost R1,4 million on the Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1.
He has now earned R379 550 with his 5 wins and 5 places from 12 starts and having proven himself equally effective on right and left handed tracks, he looks to be an exciting prospect for the Gauteng and KZN seasons.
This was a first Listed success for owner Malih Al Basti, based in Dubai. Captain Lars is now on the shortlist for Dubai 2015 and trainer Mike De Kock said: “We are very pleased for Malih who is a big supporter of the stable and he will be having more runners coming through the ranks. Captain Lars could be heading to Dubai for the 2015 Carnival.”
