Captain Colby
Captain Colby did well to finish third in the five-and-a-half-furlong handicap that opened proceedings at York's Ebor meeting on Wednesday.
Drawn 19 of 20, which is probably at least a slight disadvantage on York's sprint track these days, Ed Walker's horse was no better than mid-division through the early stages of the race, which is unusual for him, he is usually up with the leaders. He didn't lead trailblazer Hay Chewed, who raced towards the near side with him. Closer to the rear than the front when the passed the two-furlong pole, he was still travelling well at that point, and he picked up when William Buick asked him to. He moved between horses at the furlong pole into a dispute of fourth place and, while it never looked like he would get to duelling leaders Boom The Groom and Duke Of Firenze, he ran on well enough to take third place from Line Of Reason. In so doing, he pulled nicely clear of the horses who raced on the near side, finishing about three lengths clear of the next best, Hay Chewed.
This was a fine run from the Bernstein gelding against the probable draw bias. He raced from stall 19, while the other three horses who, with him, filled the first four places raced from, respectively, stalls five, two and four. Also, this was just his third run of the season - just his second if you don't count his previous run at Yarmouth when he was hampered and unseated his rider - and just the eighth of his career. He was really impressive in making all to win a six-furlong handicap at Newmarket in May last year on his only run last season off a mark of 89, and he remains potentially well-handicapped on his mark of 95, just 6lb higher than that. He is a sprinter who retains bags of potential, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next. A half-brother to Benbaun, he seems to be equally adept over five and six furlongs.
17th August 2016
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