Trainer Leslie Khoo celebrated an overdue win when Captain Kirk led throughout to take out the $65,000 Lim’s Objective 2007 Restricted Maiden Stakes over 1200m on Friday night.
Ridden by A’Isisuhairi Kasim, Captain Kirk ($50) scored by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Greenback (Jose Verenzuela) with Bogart (Manoel Nunes) a short-head away third.
The victory was Khoo’s first victory since Rich Born was successful on April 7.
A New Zealand-bred three-year-old, Captain Kirk jumped straight to the front and crossed to the fence where he was able to dictate the pace.
Turning for home A’Isisuhairi clicked him into another gear and quickly put the race away, registering a comfortable victory.
Khoo said Captain Kirk had been showing signs of shin soreness following his second barrier trial in March and added he had to back-off with his training with the gelding.
“He’s taken a lot of work to get to the races,” said Khoo. “After his second trial he was a bit shin sore so we had to stop on him.
“He got over that and then had a trial with Danny Chee on him at the end of April and that was very impressive.
“He has shown us a lot of ability right from the start. It’s always good to get that first win out of the way and hopefully now he will go on with it.”
A’Isisuhairi believes Captain Kirk has a bright future once he learns what racing is all about.
“He’s a big strong horse but also still very green,” said A’Isisuhairi.
“Once we found the fence I was able to give him a bit of a breather and I wasn’t taken on.
“I clicked him up turning for home and he quickened up very nicely. He was still having a look around all the way up the straight.
“That was just his first start but he still needs to learn a bit but he’s got a load of ability and I’m sure he’ll be able to go on with it.”
Captain Kirk is a three-year-old by Falkirk from Chiming and is raced by the Captain Stable.
