SCOTT HAMILTON
Saturday night at Menangle delivered the kind of theatre the sport’s biggest stage demands. A breathtaking Group 1 victory, a tense post-race decision and the Miracle Mile field taking shape before the crowd’s eyes.
At the centre of it all was the remarkable mare Captains Mistress, who produced one of the most commanding victories seen in the Chariots of Fire in recent memory.
IMAGE: Captains Mistress takes out the Gr.1 Livamol Chariots Of Fire. Photo by Pacepix
Mares rarely capture the famous sprint for four-year-olds, but Captains Mistress stamped herself as something exceptional with a performance that left little doubt about her place among the elite.
After a comfortable beginning she was able to find the lead without having to spend too much petrol and once in front the race was effectively over.
What followed was simply devastating.
She ripped home in a final 800 metres of 53.8 seconds, including a blistering last 400 metres in 25.9, putting the race beyond doubt and leaving her rivals chasing shadows.
Final Deadline had earlier shown dazzling speed off the gate to settle prominently and battled on strongly to finish second, but the result was never really in question once the mare straightened for home. Captains Mistress looked to win with plenty in reserve.
It was a dominant performance.
Ten Minutes to Decide
The drama was only just beginning.
Immediately after the race connections were presented with an invitation to the Miracle Mile, Australasia’s most prestigious sprint.
Owner Mick Boots had roughly ten minutes to decide whether the mare would take her place in next week’s feature where she would join his other star pacer Swayzee.
The decision came quickly.
Boots accepted the invitation and then added another twist when selecting barrier four for Captains Mistress in the Miracle Mile barrier draw.
Swayzee came up with barrier two, though that position is likely to come in to barrier one once the emergencies are withdrawn, a potential dis-advantage for the tough customer who isn’t known for his gate-speed – in a race where early speed can shape the result.
Swayzee’s Brave Qualifier
Swayzee earned his Miracle Mile place earlier in the evening with a tough performance in the Bioworma Sprint.
In a race won by the fast finishing The Janitor, Swayzee did all the work in the race, sitting exposed for much of the journey but refusing to give in.
He stuck on gamely for second and confirmed his place among the serious contenders for next week’s sprint championship.
The result also creates a fascinating decision for driver Cam Hart, who must now choose between long-time partner Swayzee and the rapidly emerging Miracle Mile contender Captains Mistress.
Leap To Fame Shows His Toughness
If there were any doubts about the reigning star of Australasian harness racing, Leap To Fame quickly dismissed them.
The champion produced another trademark display of toughness, sitting in the breeze and still proving too strong.
Stopping the clock in a mile rate of 1:48.6, the superstar again showed why he remains the most popular pacer in the region.
Trainer-driver Grant Dixon now prepares for another Miracle Mile assault after Leap To Fame secured barrier five, a draw that keeps him clear of early traffic but still requires a clever drive with plenty of intrigue drawn inside.
The meeting also featured the heats of the NSW Derby with several strong performances.
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Derby Dreams
Trainer Jason Grimson and driver Cam Hart combined to impressively win heats with Showmethetanlines and Zeus Lightning.
Soho Charmer, trained by Michael Stanley was a heat winner, with the result carrying added meaning as Soho Charmer was bred by two horses previously trained by Stanley; star pacer Soho Tribeca, and Soho Angel.
A Derby win would be a special moment for both Stanley and Soho Standardbreds owner Robert Watson.
Stanley also struck earlier on the card with Kingmaker, taking the opening race of the evening.
McCarthy Adds Another Winner
The “Prince of Menangle,” as described by on-course presenter Bronte Nieuwenburg, Luke McCarthy also enjoyed success on the night.
McCarthy produced Don Hunter for a winning debut in the Listed Sootha Sapling Stakes.
Earlier, his Miracle Mile hopeful Don Hugo endured a luckless run when finishing third behind Leap To Fame, though the effort was enough to secure a wildcard entry into the rich feature; however barrier ten makes his task more difficult next week.
McCarthy also brought Kingman to Menangle, a horse who has beaten the big guns in recent times. However the result was disappointing as he finished ninth after leading with Swayzee applying pressure on his outside.
Tough Monarch Honoured
The final race of the evening, the Tough Monarch Trotters FFA, provided a fitting tribute to the popular trotter who retired in 2023.
The race was won by Watts Up Partytime, trained by Rickie Alchin, the same trainer who guided Tough Monarch throughout his outstanding career.
Miracle Mile Now in Focus
With the Chariots of Fire decided and invitations accepted, the Miracle Mile now looms as one of the most intriguing editions in recent memory.
Leap To Fame brings champion status.
Swayzee brings toughness and consistency.
Captains Mistress arrives as the emerging star after a stunning Chariots victory.
Next week at Menangle they will all meet on the same stage.
All the action from the night was captured by Pacepix photographer Scott Hamilton for Club Menangle, with a steady stream of images distributed to media organisations and social media channels throughout the evening.
Arrivals, winners, celebrations, the Miracle Mile barrier draw and key moments across the card were made available almost immediately, helping showcase the night and promote harness racing to a wider audience. Hamilton will again be trackside next week to capture all the colour and drama of Miracle Mile night.