Captain Wolf wins for Wolfie

It was fitting that Captain Wolf (Captain Crunch) won the Tony Stratford Racing Mobile Pace at Gore today.

The classy two year old is not only named after Tony ‘Wolfie’ Stratford, he’s also part-owned and trained by the Gore based horseman.

“Timmy Grant who bred the horse named him after me on his own bat, so that’s good,” Stratford said.

Mark Hurrell settled Captain Wolf off the pace early in the small field before he moved up with 800 metres to run, to sit outside the pacemaker and favourite Humber Hawke. At the 400 Humber Hawk and Captain Wolf were level pegging. Halfway up the straight Humber Hawk still had an advantage but Captain Wolf dug deep and got up to win by a neck, running the 2200 metres in 2-44.4.

CAPTAIN WOLF REPLAY

“Mark summed it up well. It was only a four horse field. He didn’t get too involved, but he was there when he needed to be. Even though he’s a big horse he’s always been a natural. He’s got a good drop of speed and he’s a good staying type as well. I think he’ll progress into a really smart horse.”

The gelding is out of the Sweet Lou mare Sweet Lizzie which won two races for her breeder Tim Grant when trained by Stratford.

“He raced a lot of horses with us. He’s originally from Milton but he purchased a farm down here a few years ago so he’s now Gore based. He’s got a few horses, and he races gallopers with Bjorn Baker.”

So, what’s next for Captain Wolf?

“We’ll let the dust settle, but there is a chance that we may make the late payment for the Sires’ Stakes and if that’s the case he’ll race in that last heat at Ashburton on Flying Stakes Day.”  

The win was on of two for Stratford. He won later in the programme with Baton Rouge.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink