Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
New Zealand-bred two-year-old filly Captainshavtime made a successful West Australian debut when she gave a solid frontrunning display to score an easy win in the $21,000 Rotary Ending Polio Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
She was the $1.20 favourite who was smartest into stride from the No. 6 barrier and then was not seriously challenged on her way to winning by 4m from $34 chance Queen Of All, with Crunchee ($12) a similar distance farther back in third place.
“I learnt a little bit about her,” said her driver Deni Roberts. “And I think she will benefit from a few gear changes. She was quite relaxed and actually was very on the lazy side. She wouldn’t pull away from them, but I feel that if she had a horse outside of her you probably would see a better version of her.”
The victory completed a treble for Roberts and leading trainers Greg and Skye Bond, who had won earlier on the night with Steel The Show and Aardiebytheseaside.
Captainshavtime is by American sire Captain Crunch and she is the first foal out of New Zealand mare Betterthanbrie, who had 44 starts for five wins, 12 placings and $50,897. It is interesting that Betterthanbrie finished second to Mighty Conqueror as a three-year-old in a race at Winton in April 2018, and as a five-year-old finished third behind Minstrel in a race at Wairio. Mighty Conqueror and Minstrel have been outstanding performers for the Bonds in recent years.
Captainshavtime was an easy winner at Winton in April this year and she now has earned $27,058 from her two wins and a third placing from four starts.