Queen reigns supreme in Bullion heat

IT DIDN’T take classy youngster Captains Queen long to bounce back to winning form.

Successful during her first two starts, Captains Queen was then runner-up behind her stablemate Just Hope in the Bathurst Gold Tiara.

Given a short freshen-up following the Group One, the Russell Jack-trained filly completed an impressive victory at Club Menangle yesterday.

With Amanda Turnbull in the cart Captains Queen captured an Australian Pacing Gold Bullion heat to secure a berth in the $125,000 Final on April 24.

“I was pretty happy with her run as she was in need of the hit out,” Jack said. “I went a bit easy on her after Bathurst and she put on a bit of condition.

“That will tighten her up, and with another 10 days before the Final, she’ll be right where I want her on the night.”

After working to the lead from barrier three, the daughter of Captaintreacherous registered a metre-and-a-half triumph from Miss Ex, with Africana six metres away third.

“I was pleased with the way she got to the line as she did it well within herself,” Jack said. “As I said, she was in need of the run and will strip a lot fitter for the Final.”

Covering the mile in 1:55.3 Captains Queen’s time was four-tenths of a second quicker than Eye Can Fly in the second qualifier.

Driven by Robbie Morris for his trainer-wife, KerryAnn, Eye Can Fly was untouched on her way to a seven-metre win from Smooth Bon Bon.

Headovaheels was seven-and-a-half metres away third.

Also by Captaintreacherous the two-year-old took her record to two wins and two placings from six starts.