John Dunne
This could be the campaign when the brilliant, and at times enigmatic, Captain Ravishing fulfils his considerable potential.
The Freddy Taiba trained five-year-old booked a berth in the Group 1 $300,000 Victoria Cup with an impressive win in the Graham Goffin Memorial Free For All at Melton on Saturday night.
Having his second start since November last year, Captain Ravishing settled mid field in the running line before David Miles eased out three wide under a good grip with 700 metres to travel.
The son of Captaintreacherous cruised to the front approaching the home turn and held on to defeat Cantfindabettorman by a head in a slick 54.1 last 800 metres.
Miles admitted he didn’t intend to round his rivals up by the end of the back straight.
“He’s quick, he went a little bit quicker than I wanted to down the back,” Miles said.
Miles believes the win should cement Captain Ravishing’s place in the Victoria Cup.
“I think that will get him a run,” he said.
“The public love him or hate him as he’s a bit funny but he’s a serious horse and he is something that can transcend the sport, it would be great to be taking on Leap To Fame with him,” he said.
Miles was delighted with the winner’s racing demeanor
He did everything right, he raced professionally which is great for him,” he said.
“If he keeps racing like that he will be competitive in all the Grand Circuit races.”
The Paddy Lee prepared Keayang Chucky topped $200,000 in stake earnings when he scored a last stride win in the Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All.
Australia’s two premier trotting mares Queen Elilda and Im Ready Jet went stride for stride at the head of affairs while Keayang Chucky settled towards the rear from his outside front row alley.
Im Ready Jet surged past Queen Elida around the home turn however she was unable to stave off the finishing burst of Keayang Chucky who grabbed the lead in the shadows of the post to score by a head in a mile rate of 1:56.7.
Driver Jason Lee admitted he rated his chances a long way from the line.
“To be honest I was pretty confident even at the bell that we were going to be a really good chance,” Lee said.
“They were bowling along and he was just travelling that good and we were going to get the perfect tow into it, it all unfolded great but he probably switched off late,” he said.
“Kate’s (Gath) one Im Ready Jet was super doing all the work so all credit to her with her run but we got there when it mattered.”
Lee conceded Keayang Chucky is one of several of the state’s better trotters attempting the bridge the gap behind champion Just Believe in the upcoming features.
“Obviously Just Believe is the benchmark and there is probably a pretty big group there behind chasing him and I suppose Callmethebreeze has got the writing on the wall,” he said.
Talented young reinsman Jordan Leedham reflected on the late Keith Douglas after partnering Mitchell Wrap to an emotional win in the Nutrien Equine Trot.
The Jennifer Douglas trained four-year-old swept past his rivals inside the last 600 metres to score comfortably by seven metres from Leanne Leeann with Aldebaran Boyd three metres away third.
The 21-year-old Leedham acknowledged Douglas’ role in him becoming a driver.
“If it wasn’t for Keith and the Douglas family I probably wouldn’t be in the sport, so this win hits a soft spot that’s for sure.” Leedham said.
“When I first went out to their property he was straight away trying to throw me on the first pony he could and getting me to jog my first horse, he was the whole reasoning for me becoming a driver and being as successful as I am,” he said.
