Pitt grinds out a tough win with Captaintreacherous mare

Mark Pitt made it a weekend to remember, backing up Friday’s Newcastle Mile win with a Group 3 harness racing success in tonight’s (Feb. 18) Robin Dundee Stakes at Club Menangle.

Pitt was having his first drive on the aptly-named Tough Tilly (Captaintreacherous) and the mare scored an outstanding win, racing three wide early before settling outside the leader and racing without cover to score the toughest of wins over Tay Tay and Total Diva in a 1:51.1 mile rate.

Pitt won the Newcastle Mile with Mach Dan and was gearing up to drive the favourite Captain Ravishing in the $200,000 Chariots Of Fire later in the night but warmed up with his victory on Tough Tilly.

“She’s such a great mare,” said Pitt.

“I think she showed just how tough she is with that win tonight.

“I didn’t want to bustle her early so I just let her come out as she wanted to, under her own steam.

“She’s back in the draw now which will be a big advantage going into next week’s big mares’ mile.”

TOUGH TILLY REPLAY

Despite the storm which set racing back about two hours, Pitt said the track was in great condition, given the weather that swept through early in the evening, putting racing on hold.

“It might be a little bit sticky in patches but considering the weather we’ve had, it was really good,” he said.

Leading reinsman Cameron Hart tried to make the most of Tay Tay good draw in gate two and refused to hand up the lead.

Following Tough Tilly’s win, the field for next weekend’s Queen Elizabeth II Mile was released.

The field will be made up of Amore Vita, Braeview Kelly, Delightful Angel, Fairy Tinkebell, Madrid, Punt Away, Stylish Memphis, Tay Tay, Total Diva, Tough Tilly with the two emergencies Tangoingwithsierra and B K Swy.

Turning for home Tay Tay and Tough Tilly settled down to settle the issue.

But Tough Tilly showed she might be the best-named mare in the country with another terrific win for the Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin team, based in Victoria.

For complete race results, click here.

From Club Menangle