Captains Mistress spearheads star-studded Aussie invasion

WONDER harness racing mare Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) kick-starts a stellar Aussie raid on New Zealand’s richest races when she tackles Monday’s Kaikoura Cup.

Despite trying standing-start racing for the first time and drawing the outside barrier, Captains Mistress is $1.30 favourite for the $NZ60,000 race at one of the world’s most picturesque seaside racetracks.

She is one of three Aussies stepping-out at Kaikoura and part of a 11-strong team chasing a string of major races in NZ’s South Island over the next three weeks.

The great Leap To Fame, defending NZ Cup winner Kingman, dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee and Inter Dominion trotting winner Gus are just some of the other Aussie stars.

That quartet is on a flight from Sydney to Christchurch, via Auckland, today.

Captains Mistress’ stablemate Minos is a $15 chance in the Kaikoura Cup, while star Victorian trotting mare Rockinwithattitude is $3.80 favourite for tomorrow’s Group 2 South Bay Cup despite a 15m handicap.

NZ officials are still pinching themselves Captains Mistress is lining up at Kaikoura.

“It’s a dream come true,” Harness Racing NZ’s Matt Peden said. “The Inter Dominion winner and last-start Victorian Cup winner.

“The fact she’s a Kiwi coming home is another exciting twist to it.”

Captains Mistress was a star filly in NZ, but has gone to a stunning new level since joining Jason Grimson’s Menangle stable late last year. She’s won 14 of 15 starts this year.

Owner Mick Boots said the fact the Kaikoura Cup was a “Bucket Lister” for Grimson and himself is the reason the four-year-old mare is there.

Driver Cam Hart is just as excited and not fazed by the switch from mobile to standing-start racing.

Captains Mistress did win a standing start trial at Menangle with race driver Cam Hart in the sulky on May 13.

She started from the outside of four starters in the trial and stepped away well, quickly moving forward to take the lead.

“I’m confident she’ll step well and I like that she is drawn the outside (at Kaikoura), too,” Hart said.“Jase (Grimson) is stoked at how well she’s settled in.

Hart is thrilled to be driving at Kaikoura for the first time.

“I’ve never been, let alone driven there. It just looks amazing on TV,” he said.

While Minos will go on to meet Leap To Fame and Kingman in next Tuesday’s NZ Cup, Captains Mistress will bypass the race and go to the NZ free-for-all three days later.

Hart will be back aboard Swayzee, who is chasing a record-equalling third NZ Cup win.

The rising nine-year-old sent a warning he was still a serious force with a powerhouse Menangle win last night.

Swayzee was having his third run back from a spell and thrashed his rivals by almost 20m.

“That’s what he’s been building towards. It’s really come together for him over the past week or so,” Hart said.

 

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia