Captain Ravishing has speed like ‘Quinny’

Nathan Jack has only had two sits behind the brilliant Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous), but has already found similarities between him and champion harness racing pacer Im Themightyquinn.

Jack partnered the triple Inter Dominion victor and winner of 58 races to placings in the A. G. Hunter Cup, Popular Alm Free For All and Cranbourne Cup during Victorian visits in 2011, and believes the horse he will drive in this Saturday night’s Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup has the same type of acceleration as the retired West Australian great.

The star reinsman joined Captain Ravishing for a trial on Monday night at Melton, with the four-year-old settling fourth in the field of five before rocketing home for second behind Captain Bellasario in a last half of 54.72sec.

“He’s got Im Themightyquinn-like speed,” Jack said.

“Quinny ended up being a bit better racehorse, but Captain Ravishing might end up being that too down the track.

“He’s lacking a bit of ring craft yet, but he’s probably been out in front most of the time doing things on his own because he’s had a lap on them.

“Now he’s got to learn to be driven any which way. When he develops the right sort of manners, I’m sure he’s going to match it with the best ones.”

A Group 1 Vicbred Super Series three-year-old champion last November, Captain Ravishing will start from barrier 10 in Saturday’s Grand Circuit classic.

He heads into the race after a last-start third in the TAB Eureka behind Encipher, which was his first run back in the care of trainer Ahmed Taiba.

“It was just a perfect trial,” Taiba said.

“We will be driving him like the best horse in the race.”

The TAB has Captain Ravishing on the fifth line of betting at $13 behind $1.90 favourite Leap To Fame.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria