Veteran New Zealand-bred pacer Captain Confetti appreciated a drop in class and an ideal barrier when he enjoyed a perfect sit behind the pacemaker Trouble Supreme in the $23,000 Book Your TAB Punters Club table Pace over 1730m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Trained by Chris Phatouros, who races the seven-year-old in partnership with Max Rayner, Captain Confetti, an $11.60 chance, was given every chance by Ryan Warwick, who was happy from the inside barrier on the back line, and behind Trouble Supreme, to bide his time until the final stages.
Trouble Supreme ($5.50), who held the early lead despite spirited opposition from Cloud Nine ($31) and Travelban ($12), was forced to cover the opening quarter in a swift 28.3sec. The pace slackened before a final 400m of 28.9sec.
It was when the breeze horse Cloud Nine began to fade that Warwick was able to ease Captain Confetti off the pegs and into the clear 250m from home. Captain Confetti sprinted solidly to hit the front 120m from the post and he won by a length from the $3.40 favourite Machs Bettor, who fought on gamely after racing three wide (with cover behind Travelban) all the way.
Captain Confetti is by Sweet Lou and is the third and final foal out of unraced Mach Three mare Abby Story. This was his fourth start in WA and came after three unplaced efforts in the State. He now has earned $125,982 from 12 wins and 18 placings from 88 starts.
By Ken Casella