Racing: Wide draw no barrier to win

Not even a wide barrier draw could deny Captain Kurt a well-deserved victory for Matamata trainers Wayne and Vanessa Hillis at Te Rapa yesterday.

The son of Volksraad started from the outside of the 12-horse field.

Leading jockey Noel Harris asked the smooth striding 2-year-old to pounce on the leaders at the top of the home stretch and they charged clear of the field to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Simply Amazing. A further neck away third was Pelagic.

Captain Kurt had to sprint twice during the maiden 2-year-old event and the authority of his victory points to a bold future.

"Before the race we were a little worried about the wide barrier draw but when you have such a good jockey as Noel Harris on your horse, these things can become a minor issue," said Vanessa Hillis.

"It was a good effort from a 2-year-old that was having only his second race start and now we'll look at the ($30,000) Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie on May 28. It's a listed event and I think this horse will continue to develop.

"He's an exciting type because he's shown so much from only a handful of race starts and he's going to develop into a very smart 3-year-old next season."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY