Michael Howard
There were two outstanding pacing Captains on the good ship Breeders Crown but it’s the one who was simply Ravishing that will have tongues wagging for a long time to come.
Despite being just three and in only his 12th start, Captain Ravishing’s stunning victory in a 1:51.1 mile rate in the Woodlands Stud final for three-year-old boys was the defining exclamation mark on another magic night for Emma Stewart’s stable.
The Cardigan trainer claimed six of the 10 races, including four Group 1s, the 14th time her stable has won six or more races on a single card (the next most is Gary Hall Snr with nine).
None were better than the almost 30-metre win by Captain Ravishing, which knocked two outstanding pacers out of the history books.
Lochinvar Art’s stunning 2020 Victoria Cup triumph set a new mark (1:51.4) for the much-travelled middle distance at Tabcorp Park Melton, which was then matched by Hurricane Harley a tick over a month later when the pair went head-to-head in a classic Breeders Crown stoush.
On Saturday night that was lowered by three-tenths by Captain Ravishing and it was a thrilled Mark Pitt who spoke to Sky Racing’s Brittany Graham post-race.
“He was just cruising to the line,” Pitt said. “It’s actually something special to sit behind a horse like this. I’ve sat behind many good horses in Ride High and a few others, I think this one is top of the tree that I’ve sat behind.”
The final was frenetic from the outset, with Ripp racing true to his name for Bernie and Doug Hewitt and tearing to the lead in a 42.5-second lead time.
With Captain Ravishing sat on his outside, the New South Wales’ team’s plan of attack appeared clear, as they attempted to turn the race into a battle of the fittest to soften up the speed machine.
There was no let up in the 56.8sec first half, but rather than shrink Captain Ravishing found gears, pressing on in 27.4 and 27.9 third and fourth quarters that obliterated his rivals.
“I was a little bit concerned that they did go a strong lead time and first quarter, but I knew I had the horse underneath me,” Pitt said.
Come the line he would win by 28.8 metres from his nearest rival, Matt Craven’s Flash Jimmy, and will have many dreaming of future clashes with his Victoria Derby conqueror Leap To Fame.
Pitt was also a key part of one of the more enthralling stoushes on the night, although on that occasion he and The Lost Storm had their colours lowered by School Captain, who was outstanding for trainer Russell Jack and reinsman Nathan Jack.
For the latter, victory in the IRT Australia Breeders Crown for two-year-old boys was an emotional result, having claimed the title for his dad Russell and long-time supporters Anne and Bill Anderson.
“This one’s a bit different, that’s for sure,” Jack said. “I had a lot of faith in this horse. Bill and Anne have been great and Dad’s here, it just means a lot.”
School Captain held The Lost Storm on his outside hip throughout and Jack was quick to up the tempo through a 28.5sec second quarter.
He then found another gear in the third and followed that 26.7sec quarter with a 27.4sec run to the line that had his rivals gasping, with Perfect Class running terrifically to finish second while The Lost Storm faded to third, beaten 23 metres.
“We were quite comfortable early,” Jack said. “If they were wanting to run I was happy leaving them back here, I was never letting them any closer. The work during the week said he was ready to go.”
