Rakaquattro wins after lengthy break, Captain Wolf confirmed for $200,000 feature

After 339 days away, Rakaquattro (Always B Miki) in the hands of Blair Orange returned to the racetrack today and at start six at Winton cleared maiden ranks in style.

“Her suspensory started to show, there was a wee bit of fatigue there. Brendan (owner Brendan Fahy) being Brendan was quite happy to throw her in the paddock and give her the time she probably needed,” trainer Tony Stratford said after the five year old mare won by four and a half lengths.

RAKAQUATTRO REPLAY

Heading into today’s non-winners’ fillies and mares feature Stratford had given Rakaquattro plenty of work and just one workout.

“She had a workout last week and went nice. I thought today could be a weaker day and I’d throw her in. It was going to be a good starting point. She was unlucky not to win one last time round. Predominantly she started favourite in most of her starts and never quite got there. She’s got potential and good ability.”

Meanwhile Stratford confirmed that Captain Wolf (Captain Crunch) will take his place in the $200,000 Woodlands Sires’ Stakes Series Final on Cup Day at Addington.

The two year old’s connections paid the late entry fee of $20,000 so they could enter the talented gelding in the last heat of the series at Ashburton last Monday.

In running fifth Captain Wolf forced his way into the Group One feature.

“He’s gone 1-51.9 and I doubt whether there’s been a two year old trained in Southland  that has gone that speed. He’s gone as good as he could have gone, he came home and ate up that night. He was back home in Gore at four o’clock the next day, went out in the paddock for an hour and the next morning the bowl was licked (clean). He’s got a constitution of a good horse.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink