Hopes for invitation to The Rising Sun

Last night’s win by Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) has raised the possibility of the talented filly starting in the $300,000 The Rising Sun at Albion Park this Saturday.

“Grant was talking about having a crack at The Rising Sun if she gained a start. It’s very much up in the air at the moment because the Club has to invite you to start,” said driver Nathan Williamson after driving the Grant Dixon trained three year old filly to win the $52,000 Redcliffe Oaks.

The Rising Sun is for three and four year olds and Williamson thinks fillies will get a preferential draw.

“She may come up with either one or two barrier draws which would certainly aid her chances. She’s got to race against three and four year old boys, so it won’t be easy. She would make the race a wee bit more intriguing I suppose for punters. I’d imagine they’d want her in there.”

Should Captains Mistress recieve the invitation to compete in Saturday’s big feature, Williamson will be flying across the ditch again.

“If Grant’s happy with the way she comes through last nights race and she gains a start, I’ll go back over and drive her.”

In last night’s Redcliffe Oaks Captains Mistress had drawn the outside of the second row in a capacity field.

“It’s pretty tricky to win from that sort of draw at Redcliffe. For her to come round them and beat them was a big effort. There was plenty of early speed, which probably helped us in the end.”

Williamson was worried when he got trapped three wide.

“I was, but I have a lot of faith in her. She’s top class, she’s rock hard fit now with the racing and has proven herself at the top level. I was confident she’d be genuine.”

He also found the Redcliffe track interesting.

“It doesn’t suit all horses but it’s got it’s point of difference and is quite unique. It’s got tight bends and that makes it harder coming round them but that added (to the quality) of her victory I suppose.”

The win last night by the Mick Boots owned filly was her seventh.

“You don’t get horses like her very often. She’s never had a draw in her life. She’s still developing and it was only her thirteenth start. She’s special to us. I’ve had other talented horses but none that tick as many boxes as her. Grant, Trista and the team have done a fabulous job. She looked a picture and she felt sharp.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink