2026 Livamol Chariots of Fire Winner: Captains Mistress Photo by Club Menangle (PacePix)
SHE was the lone mare taking on a field of potential superstars.
Yet Captains Mistress showed she was better than the boys of her generation with a commanding win in Saturday night’s $250,000 Livamol Chariots Of Fire.
In fact, she was much much better as the daughter of Captaintreacherous cleared out to win the Group One by seven metres from Final Deadline and Sinaloa in a slashing 1:49.8 mile.
It was trainer Jason Grimson’s second win in our best four-year-old race after he won the 2024 Chariots with Frankie Ferocious.
It was also Grimson’s third winner on this feature program following earlier successes with NSW Derby contenders Showmethetanlines and Zeuss Bromac in two of the three Derby heats.
All three were driven by premier reinsman Cameron Hart.
“This was pretty special and to be aboard a horse like this is such a privilege,” said an ecstatic Hart as he brought the mare back to the cheers of fans.
“She gives me a feeling unlike many other horses. She’s pretty special, that’s for sure.
“Since coming here from New Zealand she has been so dominant this preparation.
“This was a quality field, and she did have a pretty tough first quarter but after that just treated her rivals with contempt.
“She just rolls through her gears so well and handles everything we ask her to do.
“I’m certain she would make her presence felt in a Mirale Mile but against such superstars the barrier draw would be crucial.
“It’s an exciting week to come and if I have to choose between her and Swayzee well, I will definitely need a couple of days to think about it.
“I do love Swayzee; he’s such a beast.
“And his run to finish second in the Sprint was amazing and he deserved to get another shot at the big one next week.”
Captains Mistress’s owner Mick Boots said his mare just kept impressing him every time she went to the races.
“I originally bought her as a weanling because she was so well bred so to turn out this good is really just a fabulous bonus,” he said.
“I’d love to give her a shot at the Miracle Mile but she’s up against superstars and gladiators, so it won’t be easy.”
