Ravishing track record from 'the captain' in G1 crown finale

The Emma Stewart trained Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) delivered one of the greatest harness racing performances witnessed this year in taking out the G1 $200,000 Breeders Crown final for 3YO pacing colts and geldings tonight (Nov. 19) at Tabcorp Park, Melton.

The star three-year-old took .3 off the previous track record on a wet night sitting parked and simply annihilated his opposition by a margin of 28.2 meters, securing his first G1 win in the process.

Mark Pitt patiently handled the colt throughout with the Bernie Hewitt trained Ripp (Somebeachsomewhere) determined to hold the lead throughout for driver, Doug Hewitt.

The front running pair set up a strong tempo in front and looked to adopt similar tactics to Leap To Fame however it was clear the boom three-year-old outside him was racing far kinder in the death.

Pitt let rip 800m from home and put pay to the rest of the field, surging clear and only widening the gap on his rivals turning for home. The opposition weren’t the only ones breathless in the run home with the crowd standing to salute a champion of the track in acknowledgement of a performance that will live long in the memories of those in attendance.

“The team said he was on song tonight, and he was,” said Mark Pitt post-race.

“He was just cruising to the line. I was a little bit concerned they did go a strong lead time and quick first quarter, but I knew I had the horse underneath me.

“It’s actually something special to sit behind a horse like this. I’ve sat behind some great horses like Ride High and a few others, but this one is top of the tree,” he said.

Flash Jimmy (A Rocknroll Dance) went the race of his life albeit a mile behind the winner for a G1 placing in second with Interest Free (Art Major) a length away in third.

Captain Ravishing paced the 2240m journey in 2:34.6 with an incredible last mile of 1:51.1.

CAPTAIN RAVISHING REPLAY

It was the eighth career win from 12 race day starts for the three-year-old colt taking his career earnings north of $150,000.

Captain Ravishing was bred by Sloys Company Ltd and is raced by Hassan Taiba.

For complete Breeders Crown Night results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink