Star mare upstages ‘the boys’ in Chariots

SHE was the lone mare taking on a field of potential superstars.

Yet Captains Mistress showed she was better than the ‘boys’ with a commanding win in tonight’s $250,000 Livamol Chariots Of Fire.

In fact, she was much much better as the daughter of Captaintreacherous cleared out to win the Group One by seven metres from Final Deadline and Sinaloa in a slashing 1:49.8 mile.

It was trainer Jason Grimson’s second win in Australia’s premier four-year-old race, having won the 2024 edition with Frankie Ferocious.

It was also Grimson’s third winner on the feature program following earlier successes with New South Wales Derby contenders Showmethetanlines and Zeuss Bromac in two of the three Derby heats.

All three were driven by premier reinsman Cameron Hart.

“This was pretty special and to be aboard a horse like this is such a privilege,” said an ecstatic Hart as he brought the mare back to the cheers of fans.

“She gives me a feeling unlike so many other horses. She’s pretty special, that’s for sure.

“Since coming here from New Zealand she has been so dominant this preparation.

“This was a quality field and she did have a tough first quarter but after that just treated them with contempt.

“She just rolls through her gears so well and handles everything we ask her to do.

“I’m certain she would make her presence felt in a Miracle Mile but against such superstars the barrier draw would be so crucial.

“It’s an exciting week to come and if I have to choose between her and Swayzee, well, I will definitely need a couple of days to think about it.

“I do love Swayzee; he’s such a beast.

“And he deserved to get another shot at the big one next week.”

Captains Mistress’s owner Mick Boots said his mare just kept impressing him every time she went to the races.

“ I originally bought her as a weanling because she was so well bred so to turn out this good on the track is really a bonus,”  Boots said.

“I’d love to give her a shot at the Miracle Mile but she’s up against superstars and gladiators, so it won’t be easy.”