Captain Perfect makes amends in his APG Semi Final

Consistent colt Captain Perfect (Captaintreacherous) made amends for his recent unlucky harness racing performances when he led all the way to take out the APG Second semi final for colts and geldings at Melton on Saturday evening.

After winning the Tasmanian Derby, Captain Perfect was forced to race wide and without cover when placed in both heat and Final of the Victoria Derby.

Last night drawn in three, driver Mark Pitt was able to run past stablemate Viney in the early stages and from then on he was never seriously troubled. The other fancied stablemate Storms Collide from the second row was sent around the field to race one out which gave Calexico a one out and one back sit.

Pitt allowed Captain Perfect to run along and he had a near enough to winning break on straightening. Viney started to make up some ground in the home straight but Captain Perfect prevailed by a metre from Viney with Sao Paolo Simba shuffled back through the field to eventually come home for third placing.

Should Sao Paolo Simba draw an inside front row draw he could well turn the tables but on the night all credit goes to Captain Perfect.

CAPTAIN PERFECT NOV 15 REPLAY

Mark Pitt was full of praise of Captain Perfect

He’s been a bit underrated. He’s a tough guy He likes to roll along at a genuine tempo. He doesn’t seem to have that high speed. If he can get rolling and get to that high speed he sort of maintains it for a long time.

It was a great feather in the cap. It’s great to get one up early in the night. There’s a lot more to go. You keep driving your night out and it pans out in my favour.

I think this guy’s a really good horse. In time he’s going to be better again. He’s probably the best one I am sitting on tonight.

The other qualifiers Storms Collide, Calexico and Coastal Dream are all capable three year olds and it looks as if the barrier draw will be the main factor in determining who’ll start favourite in next week’s Final.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink