Captains Mistress looks unbeatable in Chariots Of Fire

By Adam Hamilton  

Former brilliant Kiwi mare Captains Mistress is drawn to become just the fourth mare to beat the boys in Australia’s biggest four-year-old feature, the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire at Menangle this Saturday night.

Unbeaten in five stunning displays since joining Jason Grimson’s stable, Captains Mistress should roll to the lead from gate three and is a $1.08 favourite.

First run in 1995, the last mare to win the Chariots Of Fire was Innocent Eyes back in 2006.

Star Kiwi mare Oaxaca Lass won in 2003 and the first mare to win was the wonderful stayer Lombo Rapida in 2000.

Impressive qualifier winner Double Lou, who boasts 10 wins from 15 starts and three wins from four starts this campaign, is drawn to be the key threat from the pole.

Last week’s eye-catcher My Ultimate Barney, who charged home from near last to finish third to Captains Mistress in the Paleface Adios Stakes, has gate two and also comes into play.

The Andy Gath-trained pacer is one of two pacers – Miki B (gate six)  is the other – trying to continue Victoria’s recent dominance in the Chariots, having won six of the past eight years.

But most expect Captains Mistress to win and book a spot in what will be one of the best Miracle Miles of the modern era.

Grimson has declared Captains Mistress, unlike last year’s Chariots winner Bay Of Biscay, will push on to the Miracle Mile if she wins as expected this week.

Veteran Victorian marvel Bulletproof Boy is the only guaranteed Miracle Mile runner at this stage, courtesy of his barnstorming Group 2 Newcastle Mile win last Friday night.

The remainder of the field will come from the Chariots Of Fire and two qualifying sprints at Menangle on Saturday night.

The Chariots Of Fire winner and first two placegetters in both qualifying sprints are guaranteed Miracle Mile starts.

The remainder of the field will be chosen from beaten runners in the Newcastle Mile, Chariots Of Fire and both qualifying sprints.

Grimson will be the major player on Saturday night with Captains Mistress, along with Swayzee, Rakero Rocket, Hi Manameisjeff and Chase A Dream as key runners in the two sprints.

Luke McCarthy has his two stable stars Kingman and defending Miracle Mile champion Don Hugo in the sprints.

And, in a coup for Menangle, Leap To Fame, the newly crowned Australian Horse of the Year,  will chase a spot in his third consecutive Miracle Mile through the qualifying sprints.

Leap To Fame has drawn gate four in his qualifier, but will move down to three if first emergency Kingmaker doesn’t gain a start.

Don Hugo was the big winner in the race from gate one, while Speak The Truth has three, Hi Manameisjeff (five), Chase A Dream (nine) and Captains Knock the outside (12, but comes into 10).

In the other sprint, Hunter Cup winner Swayzee faces a huge task to qualify for the Miracle Mile from an outside draw (12).

Pinseeker fared well in gate two, alongside The Janitor in pole position.

Star mare Eye Keep Smiling has gate three with star former Kiwi Rakero Rocket, runner-up in last week’s Newcastle Mile, drawn gate five.