Lightly-raced six-year-old Captain Ravishing is on target for rich summer carnival feature events, including the $450,000 WA Pacing Cup on December 12.
Having his second start after a three-month break from racing, Captain Ravishing, a $8.30 chance from the No. 6 barrier in the $31,000 TABtouch Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night, enjoyed an ideal trip in the one-out, one-back position before his new trainer Lindsay Harper eased him three wide on the home bend.
He sprinted fast to win in a three-way photo finish, scoring by a head from the $4.80 pacemaker Hotly Pursued, with a neck away in third place the $1.30 favourite Mister Smartee. He rated a slick 1.52.6 after final quarters of 29sec., 28.9sec., 27.7sec. and 28.1sec.
Mister Smartee was promoted to second after a protest by his driver Gary Hall junior, alleging interference in the home straight, was upheld by the stewards and Hotly Pursued was relegated to third.
Captain Ravishing now has earned $678,435 from 14 wins and eight placings from 33 starts, and Harper is delighted with his progress.
“He is still two weeks away from being at his best,” said Harper. “We all know how good he is when he is right. A couple of years ago he was probably the best horse in Australia. He has come on really well since his first-up run (when second to Mister Smartee) and I couldn’t be happier with him.
“He has put on weight, and his muscle tone is good. His top-end speed is a great asset and there is still a lot of improvement in him.”
Mister Smartee lost few admirers after his strong effort when he began fast from the outside in the field of eight but was unable to get to the front and then worked hard in the breeze.
Thirty minutes after that performance Hall completed a treble when he drove New Zealand-bred four-year-old mare Raklou to a smart win in the $21,000 TABtouch International Form Pace over 2130m.
Raklou, the $1.20 favourite from the outside of the back line, settled at the rear before dashing to the front after 700m. Then, with 700m to travel her supporters gasped when $16 chance Malakie surged forward from the rear to head the favourite by a neck.
Raklou quickly rallied, regained the lead and went on to win by two and a half lengths from $41 outsider Take A Hike, rating 1.57.
Earlier, Hall won the opening two events on the program with Sweet Coco ($1.20) and Alta Tribute ($1.60).
