After a minor shaky start to his 2020 SA Champions Season campaign, Milnerton trainer Paul Reeves registered his career first KZN victory when the Riverton Stud-bred Captain Oupie shed his maiden at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday.
Reeves has a string of ten of his best horses at Summerveld and was both pleased and relieved to have broken the ice relatively early.
Smiling trainer Paul Reeves at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
He conceded that uncertainty over when to gallop and when not to gallop his charges initially had meant an awkward start. But he is now on his way and could follow up soon after this success.
While Craig Zackey did the honours on Captain Oupie, a son of Captain Of All on Wednesday, Reeves thanked Anton Marcus who did a lot of the work.
“Through little circumstances he didn’t ride Captain Oupie, but I appreciate all his help,” he added.
Racing in the interests of Messrs Lionel Adams and A Reynolds, Captain Oupie was purchased for R60 000 at the KZN Yearling Sale. He was third first time out at Kenilworth.
The winner was bred by top farm Riverton Stud, Captain Oupie is out of the three-time winning Greys Inn mare, Pippi. His sire, Equus Champion Sprinter Captain Of All was also bred by Riverton, and enjoyed some of his great moments at Hollywoodbets Scottsville.
Reeves said that he was hoping to target the KZN sale race with the powerful colt.
The former jockey, who rode nearly 300 winners and started training in 2009, tried his luck with the good mare Sea Cat as a lone raider years back.
This is the first time he has attacked the riches of SA’s premier season with force and the win must count as a terrific boost for the small yard.
