Captains Mistress no certainty for Group 1 Christian Cullen

Wonder mare Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) is no sure thing to back-up in next Friday’s Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington.

In the moments after her mind-blowing NZ free-for-all win, trainer Jason Grimson said he could opt to freshen her with a view to chasing a $1 million  Victorian Summer of Glory bonus.

“She’s no certainty to go around next week,” he said. “It’ll come down to how she is in the next few days.

“You’ve got to remember she’s still only a four-year-old mare and there are so many other big races ahead.”

It’s clear snagging Victoria’s $1 million bonus is the major focus in coming months.

“That’s what we want,” Grimson said. “She’ll go to the second leg (of the series) at Bendigo (January 9).”

Captains Mistress won the first of six qualifying legs when she led throughout in last month’s Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton.

She needs to win three of the remaining qualifying races, plus the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 13, to win the bonus.

Beyond that, driver Cam Hart is dreaming of the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 13.

“The Miracle Mile has escaped me so far and being from NSW, it’s the race I’d love to win now,” he said.

“She’s the perfect mare to do it for me with her freakish speed.

“I hope she keeps racing for another two years because I don’t know if I’ll ever get to drive another one as freakish as her.”

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing New Zealand