History awaits classy pacer

HISTORY awaits high class pacer Captains Knock on Friday night.

Having captured the first four legs of Harness Racing New South Wales country cups bonus circuit, Captains Knock will attempt to secure a $1million payout in Penrith’s Renshaw Cup.

HRNSW put $1million on the table for any pacer which completes a clean sweep of five Cups, while also offering $500,000 for any pacer which wins four and $250,000 for three wins.

Last year Swayzee collected $500,000 for connections by winning four of the five features during ‘Season 2’ of the Carnival of Cups.

Like Swayzee, Captains Knock already has $500,000 in the bank.

Last month freakish trotter Keayang Zahara earned connections $500,000 via Harness Racing Victoria’s bonus scheme.

The trio share the record for the largest bonus within the industry with former champion Master Musician, which snared the amount by winning several eligible two-year-old features in his native New Zealand and New South Wales in 1990.

While Captains Knock is on the verge of re-writing the record books in the provincial feature, it should be noted bonuses are not included in a trotter or pacer’s earnings.

Trainer Brad Hewitt will partner the son of Captaintreacherous, which has drawn the middle of the second row over 2525 metres.

Captains Knock also drew the back line in the Wagga and Albury legs of the circuit.

“It’s not going to be easy from the draw,” Hewitt said. “He has managed to win from the second row twice in these bonus races, so hopefully he can do it one more time.

“It’s been a long campaign full of challenges, including some niggles between races, but he has done a tremendous job.

“All we can do is hope he can do it again on Friday night.”