New Zealand bred mare Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) gave yet another awesome display in an effortless all the way win in a quality harness racing field in the $50,000 Group 3 The Angelique at Cranbourne on Saturday evening.

Now in the hands of master New South Wales trainer Jason Grimson, Captains Mistress had won two races at Menangle in brilliant style but her race at Cranbourne was a stiffer test as she was pitted against Australia’s leading mare Eye Keep Smiling as well as the outstanding Steno.

 CAPTAINS MISTRESS JAN 31 REPLAY

Nonetheless on the strength of her Menangle wins, Captains Mistress was installed a prohibitive favourite having drawn on the inside of Steno and Eye Keep Smiling. The latter two along with stablemate Kingman and Sanchez were involved in a truck incident on the way down when a tyre burst which caused a fire. Fortunately all horses were safely evacuated and taken to Cranbourne in alternative transport where they were subject to a vet examination before being allowed to take their place in the field.

Cameron Hart had no hesitation in allowing Captains Mistress to race to the early lead which she did so easily.

By contrast from the wide draw Eye Keep Smiling was taken back to the rear by Luke McCarthy. Stablemate Steno was just in front of her but she was then taken up to race outside the leader. However Captains Mistress was having an easy run and McCarthy realised that he would need to get moving before giving too much of a start.

Eye Keep Smiling crept up to race outside Captains Mistress who still looked very comfortable. Hart released the brakes and Captains Mistress ran her third quarter in a blistering 25.9 seconds in giving a clear space between herself and her rivals.

With consummate ease, Captains Mistress strolled to an 18 metre win over Eye Keep Smiling who kept battling away with SweetNikilou finishing on fairly for third.

In running her final quarter of 27.2 seconds Captains Mistress ran an overall mile rate of 1.53.7 for the 2080 metre journey setting a new track record which was previously held by Fighter Command and Supreme Dominator.

Cameron Hart revealed his admiration for the mare.

She feels amazing, I know that first start when she dropped that 25.3 seconds at Menangle I come back and said to Jason. Like I said before she’s got a great turn of foot. She’s not just speedy, she’s got incredible stamina as well.

She felt real comfortable out of the gate when Luke’s two didn’t run the gate with me I just let her cruise across. She was pretty content to roll along at a nice even bat in front. I knew when I called upon her when I didn’t have to burn and do too much early she’d have that sort of quarter on the way home. I said at Menangle she could do 24 seconds. That would have been a big ask but that’s the feel she gives you.

I said before she’s the best mare I have driven. I’m just happy that she did it here tonight against the best mares in the country with Luke’s mares it’s just a great feel.

It was nice for her to take on the company and do it the way she did tonight. She’ll be down on Hunter Cup night with Tokyo Rose targettng the Queen of the Pacific.

Hopefully we can get a nice draw and be right in it again. Her main aim will be the Chariots of Fire, she’s only a four year old. She’d be taking on the boys so if she won that and got through the run the Miracle Mile would be exciting for her.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink