Captain Kobe slam dunks them

Captain Kobe (Captaintreacherous) was an impressive winner at Addington harness racing meeting today.

Trained at Russley by Steve Dolan, Captain Kobe’s driver Sam Thornley pushed the three year old gelding out from gate five and he led all the way, coming away from a chasing bunch to win by ten and quarter lengths. He ran the 1980 metres in 2-25.4 with the last 800 cut out in 57.6 and the 400 in 28.7.

CAPTAIN KOBE REPLAY

Although the win was impressive Dolan says it was a marked drop in grade for the horse.

“Without being disrespectful I couldn’t find a single horse that could beat him. His run on Friday was really good. He’s blazed the gate, latched on a bit and he’s still had to find something at the finish in a 1-56 mile rate. Today was a 1-58 mile rate and even though they came around and had a look at him they just weren’t good enough to run him down,” Dolan said.

Captain Kobe is out of the Christian Cullen mare Millwood Minisota and was bred by Katie Carville. Earlier foals from the mare included Ohoka Punter (Bettor’s Delight) the winner of seventeen races, Our Millwood Maisie (Bettor’s Delight) sixteen wins and Ohoka Le Bron (Rock N Roll Heaven) four wins.

Offered as Ohoka Kobe at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch he was passed in for $45,000 before being purchased by John Curtin.

Today was the three year old’s fifth start and Dolan says he’s still immature and tends to get onto his knees.

“He doesn’t smash them but it just upsets him a bit. It’s not about getting him off his knees it’s about getting him used to it and that it’s not going to hurt him. This time in he’s been really really good. I tried him in spreaders, and he was alright. We went back to the go straights today and he was a lot better.”

Dolan reckons Captain Kobe’s future lies in America.

“I think he’ll race well over the short distance. He’s got a good turn of foot, gets off the arm really well and time is going to be his friend. Over the next twelve months he’s going to develop into a more complete racehorse. I think racing on a big track like the Meadowlands is going to be right up his alley.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink