Mistress goes home with G2 Bracelet

Branxhome trainer Nathan Williamson picked up his 13th career Group Race success as a harness racing trainer tonight at Addington Raceway with the victory of Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) in the $70,000 G2 Bionic Chance Bracelet for juvenile fillies.

Furthermore, the feature win by the two-year-old daughter of boom sire, Captainreacherous, was his third this season, and the second G2 in as many races for Captains Mistress having won the inaugural Entain 2YO Fillies Classic a month earlier.

The filly from the deep south had to be good to overcome the inside second row barrier over the 1980m journey, and was aided by an inch perfect steer from her trainer/driver who took advantage of a hot tempo set by race favourite, Stella Rouge (Bettor’s Delight).

With Tim Williams and Stella Rouge going lickety split up front, Williamson bided his time and settled four back on the markers. That would usually pose traffic concerns however with the first lap being run with a gallant tempo, there wasn’t a running line outside Williams when he elected to come off the fence with 800m left to run.

With moves now coming from the rear of the field, Captains Mistress had helmet to follow from the 600m and was fair jogging on the back of Queen Tyron and Blair Orange as the field rounded for home.

The daughter of Captaintreacherous unfurled with a stride that is now so easily attributed to her sire, bounding on by her rivals with ease to score by two and a half lengths at the finish from a game Stella Rouge who was brave burning the candle at both ends.

“There was plenty of speed that first bit, it worked out good,” said Williamson.

“She obviously won the G2 down home and it was great to come up and win the equivalent up here at headquarters.

“I had thought we might go to Ashburton in a couple of weeks, but that might do her and we could bring her back in the Spring. I will have to talk with the owner,” he said.

Bred by Todd and Fleur Anderson of Winton (Taffy Ltd), Captains Mistress is raced by New South Welshman, Mick Boots who is undoubtedly one of if not the largest owner of standardbreds in the Southern Hemisphere at present.

In Captains Mistress he not only has a budding star on his hands, but a highly valuable commodity in the broodmare paddock when it is all said and done.

Captains Mistress was bred to be good hailing from the vaunted Scuse Me family via Imaginary Bet, an unraced Bettor’s Delight daughter of G3 winning mare, Imagine Me.

Five of her first six foals of racing age to date have all been winners, with none more impressive than the reigning NZ 3YO Pacer of the Year and 2024 Race By Grins champion Merlin.

The winning time for the 1980m journey was 2:24.8 with a last half run in 58.8 and a closing quarter of 28.8. The mile rate was probably more indicative of the torrid tempo with a slick 1:57.6 for the early season juvenile fillies who are unlikely to all battle again until the G3 Helen Pope Stakes on the 2nd of June.

CAPTAINS MISTRESS REPLAY

For complete Addington results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink