Captain Tom Breaks the Ice

Media Release - Thursday February 25

Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett marked a century of wins on his home track when promising three-year-old Captain Tom saluted in the Mount Shop 1200 maiden under jockey Andrew Calder on Thursday.  

Captain Tom winning at Pukekohe on Thursday. Photo: Trish Dunell

The son of Showcasing had previously been first past the post at Te Rapa earlier in the month but was relegated from first to third after causing interference over the concluding stages.

Named after Captain Sir Tom Moore, the British WWII veteran who raised millions of pounds for health service workers on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19, the gelding was a comfortable length and a half winner on Thursday, with first-starter Side Hustle running home well for second.

“It is quite satisfying to get the 100th win on my home track, particularly with a promising horse bred and raced by Matt Goodson and Di Perron who have been great supporters,” Collett said.

“The way things unfolded at Te Rapa was a bit unfortunate. He was a touch slow to clear the gates that day and Andrew gave him a bit of a squeeze and he got running and it wasn’t the intention to ride him in front. He got totally lost and he hadn’t raced left-handed before.

“Going back right-handed on his home track was a bit easier for him. We intended to ride him back and have the last run at them today and he won well, even though he was probably in front a bit soon through circumstance.

Advertisement

“He is learning and he has got a lot of ability. Things are starting to fall into place. He was shin sore in the spring after he won a trial in September.

“He is going to be competing for black-type at some stage but it is just a matter of when he is ready to do it. There is a race on the first day of the Auckland Carnival in nine days’ time, but we will just see how he comes through this.”

Collett, who has a property nearby the Pukekohe track, said the course was a fabulous place to train.

“It is a bit of a mecca for me. It has got such great grasses to work on and a great sand training track,” he said.

“With the natural centralisation of racing, Pukekohe is a logical region that could be used more as a training facility. The club needs to come to the party and build barns and help young trainers out.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Mount Shop Mdn 1200m

Pukekohe Park Track: Dead(4) Time: 1:10.22
1
Captain Tom
- 3g Showcasing (GB) x Mary Agnes (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R D Collett Rdr: A J Calder 58
2
1.5
Side Hustle
- 3f Ferlax (NZ) x Aristotaat (NZ) (Faltaat (USA))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: D J Danis 54
3
2.0
Flavius
- 3g Makfi (GB) x Insouciant (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: M & K Murdoch Rdr: S R Weatherley 58
4
2.4
Mini Mystic
- 4m He's Remarkable (NZ) x Nine Gems (NZ) (Royal Gem (USA))
Tnr: S T Wenn Rdr: J J Fawcett 56.5
5
2.6
Zouperb
- 4m Zoustar (AUS) x In Conference (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: C J Grylls 56.5
6
4.4
Swey My Way
- 3f Sweynesse (AUS) x Techno Charged (NZ) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: Callum Jones 53
7
5.5
Aronov
- 4g Choisir (AUS) x Indy Cash (USA) (A.P. Indy (USA))
Tnr: A Oliveira Rdr: V A Colgan 58.5
8
7.4
Show The Love
- 4m Showcasing (GB) x Maakel (USA) (Swain (IRE))
Tnr: M Moroney & P Gerard Rdr: E A Mc Call 53.5
9
7.9
Triple Heart
- 4m Toronado (IRE) x Northeast Note (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA))
Tnr: F T Ritchie Rdr: T Yanagida 55.5
10
10.6
Heza Showman
- 3c Showcasing (GB) x Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: S J McKee Rdr: S T Collett 58
More Reading...
Mulberry Racing Secure Everest Slot
Racing NSW today announced that Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20 million TAB Everest for a term of three years commencing with the running of this year’s race.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Do Early Winners Equate to Long Term Stud Success?
As we move towards the end of the racing season, attention invariably focuses on first season sires and who will be the leader of the cohort by winners and it’s a close run race this year, but does any of it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Tatts Tiara
With Royal Ascot done and dusted for another year, let's turn our attention to the final G1 of the Australian racing season as some very expensive mares seek to land that elusive G1 and three runners will carry the Yulong colours!
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 26
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Winner for Australian Derby Winner Levendi
Blueblood Pierro colt Levendi won the Group I ATC Australian Derby for the Gelagotis stable back in 2018 and is now on the board as a sire having produced his first winner on Friday.
Promising 2YOs for Pike
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it’s the same story at Ruakaka.