Flying Artie gelding Captain Rogers improved on his debut third behind the promising Castillian at Warracknabeal to open his winning account cosily over 1300m at Cranbourne on Wednesday.
Ridden by Billy Egan for Leon and Troy Cortstens, Captain Rogers tended to over-race and was throttled back to last of the five runners on the turn.
Given a shake-up on straightening, Captain Rogers rounded up his opponents with the minimum of ease. Under a hand ride by Egan, Captain Rogers defeated the Fighting Sun filly Fighting Violet by one and a half lengths with the Starspangledbanner debutant Redneck Rum a further two lengths back in third.
“He pulled pretty hard, but I had one instruction, don’t lead,” Egan said.
“I tried to get a bit of cover on him, so he finishes off.
“We had cover early, but when Motty (Jamie Mott on Redneck Rum) rolled up, he got tight, was uncomfortable between runners, and was hard on the steel.
“He did a good job finishing the race off because he used up a few carrots by over-racing.
“I think he has a long way to go. He did a lot wrong, but over time I think he will get over ground and will be a nice horse when the penny drops”.
A $60,000 purchase for Malua Bloodstock from the Murrulla Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Captain Rogers holds a nomination for the Caulfield Guineas on October 8.
The son of Flying Artie is a half-brother to Port Adelaide Guineas winner Spring Choice (Choisir) out of First Blossom (USA), an unraced Giant's Causeway grand-daughter of blue hen Korveya, the dam of Group I winners Hector Protector, Bosra Sham and Shanghai.
First Blossom (USA) has a 2yo colt by Written By and revisited Flying Artie last spring.
