Larry v Mistress

Potentially it could be the race of the Cup Carnival and it’s thanks to the Aussies.

As good as the New Zealand Cup was on Tuesday, tomorrow’s New Zealand Pacing Free for All could be a sizzler due to the fact the Jason Grimson trained glamour mare Captains Mistress has been added to the free for all mix.

In her favour Captains Mistress has drawn six in the 1980 metre mobile while Leap To Fame runs from the second line. Fortunately he’s there on his own and driver Grant Dixon will be able to pick and choose who he gets behind once the arm is pulled away.

Captains Mistress will likely blast forward and lead from her gate.  Leap To Fame might try to make his own luck by sitting outside the mare and try to outstay her.

The pair have only met twice before with the current scoreboard at one win apiece.

Given the way the Addington track played on a wet New Zealand Cup Day and with the fine weather forecast for tomorrow, the race record and the New Zealand record of 2-17.0 held by 2021 winner South Coast Arden could be under threat.

If Captains Mistress wins she’ll become the biggest stakes earner out of super broodmare Imaginary Bet, surpassing the mighty Merlin. A win would also cap off a great week for Todd and Fleur Anderson’s broodmare. Captains Mistress’s full brother Faith Not Fear won the G1 Sires Stakes Final on Tuesday.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink