Big upset in $150,000 three-year-old fillies final

There’s no doubt that Jack Trainor has a way with the girls.

The former Kiwi harness racing horseman showed his class again tonight as he scored a surprise win with Captn Me (Captaintreacherous) in the three-year-old fillies’ final of the $150,000 Breeders Challenge.

It was Trainor’s eighth Group One success as a reinsman and the stunning part is all eight of them have been on fillies or mares.

Sent out as a $30 shot in tonight feature’, most expected the final to be a match race between talented pair Steno and Madrid, with Ideal In Dreams the possible ‘Smoky’ if there was to be an upset.

The race went according to plan early for Steno (Jack Callaghan), who led from gate three while Trainor pulled off a coup when he was able to grab the coveted spot behind the leader, where he was able to bide his time.

Turning for home, Trainor and Captn Me timed their run to perfection, grabbing the lead and hanging on to beat the fast-finishing Ideal In Dreams (Josh Gallagher), with Steno a tiring third.

CAPTN ME REPLAY

The well-backed Madrid was posted wide for most of the race and didn’t figure in the finish.

Captn Me has been a frustrating horse for Trainor, who admitted he saw potential in her and had worked hard to get her to attain it.

“It was awesome to get a win like that,” said the Menangle-based trainer-driver.

“She’s been a model of consistency – I had been a bit easy on her between her heat and semi and I really thought she’d take some benefit from her second placing in the semi.

“Honestly, she felt like a different horse – she felt so strong tonight.

“It got close but she knuckled down and got the job done and held them off.

“I have to thank Mick Harvey [owner] for sticking with me.

“I gave her a wrap and she didn’t seem to be living up to it.

“We went away and thought it through and put block eyes with holes on her and that was the only thing we changed and that has made the difference.

“This is a really big thrill . . . to do this with horses when it’s not expected.

“It’s not easy to train horses to win these races.

“It’s all about placing them and getting them through to the final.

“I have to give a special vote of thanks to Jack Brown and Ash Hart – I couldn’t do this without them and tonight we got the rewards.”

For complete race results, click here.

From Club Menangle