Despite his uncharacteristic conservatism pre-race, Justin Snaith’s Cape Summer Season shares received a welcome fillip when his champion 3yo filly of last season Captain’s Ransom produced a polished term debut to successfully defend her Gr3 Diana Stakes title at a buzzing Durbanville on Saturday.
The daughter of Captain Al’s presence appeared to have scared off any real opposition off and only five other 4yo’s pitched to take her on.
Starting at odds of 9-10 Captain’s Ransom was never under pressure and Richard Fourie produced her with an electrifying turn of foot at the 250m to catch her pacesetting stablemate Major Attraction (8-1) and win by 1,50 lengths in a time of 86,64 secs.
Richard Fourie steers Captain’s Ransom to a terrific win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Regular partner Richard Fourie called her a ‘special filly’.
“It’s so nice to have her back somewhere near her best. She switches off so well and when she sees daylight she turns it on. She has furnished beautifully. She is a typical Captain Al filly and tests us at track.But she has a good head on her shoulders. Thanks to Suzette and Basie Viljoen for the support and patience!” he said.
A relieved Justin Snaith said that it’s early to start a long season in October.
“But her gallop was so impressive. There was a lot of hype going into the Champions Season about her taking on War Of Athena. I took some bad advice in the week going into the Garden Province. She was so sick afterwards – she should never have run. I take full responsibility and I am not too old to learn!” laughed the SA Champion trainer.
Suzette and Basie Viljoen were at the track as part of a roadshow that started in the Eastern Cape on Friday and will culminate at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
“I wasn’t breathing when they came into the straight. But Basie said she was going to win. Thanks to the Snaith team for making her a champion. And thanks to Richard Fourie for riding a brilliant race,” said SA Champion owner, Suzette Viljoen.
Captain’s Ransom, a R225 000 buy from the 2019 National Yearling Sale, was bred by Moutonshoek.
She is a daughter of deceased champion sire Captain Al (Al Mufti) out of the unraced Red Ransom mare Cinna’s Ransom. The latter, dam of multiple winners in Britain, is a half-sister to Gr3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner Black Rock Desert and multiple Japanese stakes winner Toyo Seattle.
Cinna’s Ransom’s own dam, the Plankton Stakes winner, City Dance is a full-sister to multiple Gr1 winner, and successful sire, Slew City Slew.
A winner of 7 races with 1 place from 9 starts, the superb filly has accumulated R991 625 in stakes and has a bright summer season ahead of her.
