Captaintreacherous mare wins the worlds richest harness race

South Australian harness racing pacer Encipher (Captaintreacherous) upstaged the boys in taking out the world’s richest race the $2.1m The TAB Eureka at Menangle tonight (Sep. 2). 

The only mare in the race, Encipher settled three horses back in the running line while the ($1.60 fav) favorite Leap To Fame made an early move to join the leader Catch A Wave. 

Leap To Fame surged to the lead half way down the long Menangle home straight and was being hailed the winner when Encipher ($30) stormed down the middle of the track to grab victory in the shadows of the post. 

Encipher recorded an unofficial world record mile rate for a mare over 2400 metres of 1:51.8. 

The Emma Stewart trained mare was driven by champion NSW reinsman Luke McCarthy who was lost for words after the race. 

“This is a huge thrill and I’ve got to catch my breath actually,” McCarthy said. 

“I’ve got to thank Aaron Bain and Summit Bloodstock for entrusting me with the drive and Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin). 

Emma and Clayton said she would run a terrific race and she did,” he said. 

ENCIPHER REPLAY

McCarthy said he was keen to press forward at the start. 

“I stepped her out of the gate as I wanted to get a few of the wider ones behind me and didn’t want to be any worse than third over, it just worked out fantastic and she hit the line really well,” he said. 

One of the last horses granted a berth in the field, Encipher was only secured by slot holder Aaron Bain and Summit Bloodstock a couple of weeks ago. 

“This is a dream come true,” a delighted Bain said after the race. 

Bain admitted several previous plans hadn’t come to fruition in recent months. 

“There has been plenty of sleepless nights and to win the world’s richest harness race and for our state South Australia, this mare is bred and owned in South Australia and that’s what it was about to us,” he said. 

“And to the Linke family who own the mare and to Emma and Clayton there are no better people to share this with and it’s an outstanding result for our business.” 

Leap To Fame, regarded as Australia’s premier pacer, lost few admirers after sitting parked in a blistering 53.6 last 800 metres at the end of 2400 metres. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink