Stott Gets Fractions Right For Dion Win

Kevin used to be one of the most prominent trainers during the all-weather season, regularly challenging for the trainer’s title. Times have changed now and during the winter months the yard is a lot quieter with many of the horses off on their breaks but there is a select team that have stayed in training, trying to gain success on the artificial surface. Captain Dion is one of those and the 3 year old quickly took to the new surface when taking the 6f #Totelife Win A £50 Free Bet Handicap at Chelmsford on only his first try on the all-weather.

Captain Dion had been a lightly raced juvenile, running just twice with his second run seeing him shed his maiden tag. This led to connections expecting a promising 3 year old season which should see Dion come back a stronger and more mature horse. This proved to be true and he looked a likely improver throughout the year. The first run of the season was full of promise, finishing a close second and showing plenty of encouragement. 

There was always a question mark as to what trip would suit Dion best, was he a 6f or 7f horse. Following his good seasonal return, Kevin stepped the grey up to 7f for his next 3 starts. Unfortunately this resulted in 2 poor efforts before he finally got back to himself by finishing second at Newmarket. Dropping back to 6f after that run, Captain Dion got his head in front at Pontefract but then once again put in a stinker to follow up, back up in trip to 7f at Catterick. 

Kevin made the decision that Captian Dion should stay in training through the winter, feeling that he was lightly raced and racing could help him mature. The only question was which trip would he run over. Both wins had come over 6f but he really saw it out well and surely 7f was not out of the question. It was the shorter trip that Kevin opted for and felt he found the right race when sending the Equiano gelding on the long trip south to Chelmsford under the floodlights. 

When winning at Pontefract it was Kevin Stott who took the ride and had kept it since then. With a good draw (4) it was important to try and use this advantage and Kevin was keen to be positive, knowing Dion had stamina for further than this 6f trip. Captain Dion jumped well, better than his rivals inside of him which meant the Kevin could quickly make a bee line for the inside rail. Through the first furlong Dion was quickly into stride and took up the lead with relative ease, there was only Interlink wanting to force the issue. Dion was going strong from the off and the pace was generous enough. 

Having taken the lead and moving to the rail, Dion was taking the shortest route possible and he was ensuring that the race would be a true test. Kevin had made his move early to try and dictate which was exactly what he was able to do. Interlink kept the pair true and down the back straight actually edged in front. The field were well string out and the back markers had plenty of work to do even before the field passed halfway. 

With the first half of the race going exactly to plan, Kevin now had to judge when to press the button. Interlink was still giving him no room to breathe and was really forcing the issue. The field was well strung out so there were more and more of the runners coming under pressure trying to close the gap on the leading pair. Captain Dion travelled well passing halfway but Kevin was forced to play his hand a little earlier than he would have liked. As his rival began to quicken up, Kevin started to wind his mount up keeping the grey’s nose in front. The leaders injected more pace into the race and just started to pull away from the rest. 

Swinging off the home bend Dion took the field inside the final 2f with a small lead over Interlink. Kevin had been niggling away at his mount and the pair were now into top gear. With only daylight ahead of them, Kevin decided that it was time and kicked for home. Getting lower in the saddle Kevin now asked for everything as they moved towards the final furlong. Dion quickened up again but he still couldn’t shake off Interlink despite holding a half length advantage. 

Nothing had really got into the race and there was only the final furlong left to run. Captain Dion still held the lead and he was beginning to assert. With Kevin in full drive, Dion began to find more and more. Finally he saw off his long time rival, Interlink, moving clear with every stride. Now it was all about stamina but there was never a worry about that and Captain Dion continued to power forward. There were some late challenges but these were only for second as Dion had set sail and was not for catching. By the time they hit the line Captain Dion and Kevin had opened up a convincing 2 length advantage. 

Captain Dion Strides Out To A Comfortable Win On His All-Weather Debut

It was a good win for Captain Dion and was great to see him bounce back to form. Owner Mr T A Rahman has enjoyed a good year with plenty of winners and Captain Dion looks like he could be set to add more to the tally. It was a competitive handicap and Dion controlled throughout before winning with a bit in hand. Again he has shown that 7f would not be out of the question as he saw out every inch of the trip after setting a strong gallop. This win came off a mark of 79 so Dion will be heading into the 80’s for his next start. When he gets it right Captain Dion has plenty of ability and could be one to watch through the winter months.