Wolfe hits milestone mark in Great Southern

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe has continued his local dominance, securing a record 20th Great Southern Trainers’ premiership after rounding out the 2016-17 season with a double at Percy Spencer Racecourse on Thursday.

Wolfe has led the way in the local training ranks for some time now and he bettered his 23-win previous season last week, with victories to rising youngster Captivated Point and veteran Tiger Pete making it 25 winners this season.

The astute trainer held a big lead over his nearest rival Roy Rogers going into the final meeting but his red-hot form in the back half of the Great Southern season continued as he finished nine wins clear.

Raging favourite Captivated Point was superb in claiming his fourth win in eight starts, chasing down the brave Kronstadt in the $22,000 Skyracing.Tv Provincial Championship Series Heat (1240m).

After jumping a $1.70 chance on the tote, Captivated Point led in early stages before Kronstadt ($15.40) raced around the field and sped clear.

Jockey Shaun McGruddy stoked up the talented four-year-old in the home straight and he sprinted powerfully to win by 1 ¾ lengths on the line.

Wolfe said it was unlikely Captivated Point would press on to the championship final later this month.

“It’s unlikely he’ll go there,” he said.

“Kronstadt did a good job, he had to find another gear, which he did, and that was pleasing.”

Tiger Pete had never won in Albany in his 76 starts before Thursday but the veteran galloper broke that streak, getting up to win the Hybla Tavern Handicap (1240m) for hoop Peter Hall.

“He won at the first meeting at Mt Barker and the last meeting in Albany,” Wolfe said. “There is always a place for horses like him.

“We are not sure if that will be his swansong.”

Wolfe paid credit to his hard-working team and said there was plenty to look forward to in the coming months.

“It’s been sensational for all concerned,” he said.

“We started quite slow but finished the season strongly.

“Our staff have done a wonderful job and we have some great young horses coming through.”

Wolfe (23 wins) finished clear of Rogers (16), who had stayer Dr Sykes win at the final meeting, while Mark Bairstow (12) was the other trainer to reach double figures for the season.

My Greek Boy, who ran a brave third at Ascot on Saturday, was the Great Southern horse of the year with five victories in the Wolfe colours.