Astute trainer Les Bridge knows how to get the best out of a talented horse and well related Merchant Navy filly Aye Aye Captain looks set for a good campaign after returning from a spell to score a stylish win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Fourth and second at her first two starts in March and April this year, Aye Aye Captain was tuned up with a recent trial and produced a strong finishing burst for Kerrin McEvoy to charge home and win the 1200m maiden by a length running away.
Retained to race by her breeder Joss May, Aye Aye Captain is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Dal Dal, a metro winning sibling by Encosta de Lago to Group I ATC Flight Stakes winner Speak Fondly and Group II winner Wild and Proud from stakes-winner Blab, whose dam is a half-sister to Champion 2YO and Australian Horse of the Year Bounding Away.
Dal Dal was bought from a Gooree Stud reduction in 2015 for $20,000 by Ms May and was retired from stud duties earlier this year.
Aye Aye Captain is the second winner from the mare trained by Les Bridge, who had high hopes for her I Am invincible daughter Skedaddle, who was retired after just four starts winning two of them in metro company. She has also since gone to stud for Ms May and produced a filly last spring by Harry Angel (IRE).
Aye Aye Captain is the 15th winner this season for Merchant Navy, who stands at Kooringal Stud at a fee of $13,200.
