Captains Mistress at the 2026 Rising Sun Presentation
WONDER mare Captains Mistress has to overcome 90 years of history and the greatest pacer of all time to win Saturday night’s $1 million Ladbrokes Inter Dominion at Albion Park.
Only one four-year-old mare has won the Inter Dominion pacing final and that was the Bob Knight-trained Jodie’s Babe 37 years ago in Perth.
Remarkably, only three mares have been placed in the top three since. Foreal ran third in 2007 and the great Blossom Lady was third in 1992 and ’93.
And waiting for her is the intimidating Leap To Fame, who is the richest pacer of all time and on target to become just the fourth pacer to win three or more Inter Dominion finals. Blacks A Fake holds the record with four, while Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot have three.
Captains Mistress also has to tackle Leap To Fame at his “kingdom”, Albion Park, where he has won 30 of his past 31 starts, going back to November 4, 2023. His only defeat was by a whisker to Don Hugo in last December’s Group 1 Blacks A Fake.
Leap To Fame is also unbeaten in nine starts (seven heats and two finals) across his three Inter Dominion campaigns.
But Captains Mistress’ driver Cam Hart if focused on her, not history.
“I’m as pumped as I’ve ever been going into a race for this one,” he said. “Two all-time greats locking horns.
“When I say that, Leap To Fame is already as good as we’ve seen and if this mare races for another 12-18 months we’ll be saying the same about her.
“She’s something else. I’ve said it since the first time I drove her and she’s just kept getting better.”
Hart certainly isn’t intimidated by Leap To Fame.
“I’ve got massive respect for him and I’ve raced against him as much as anyone in these big races,” he said. “But absolutely this mare can beat him. Her speed is her biggest weapon.
“If we can get into a spot to use that speed, she’ll be lethal.
“Maybe it’s my competitiveness, but I can’t wait to take him on. You want to race and try to beat the best.”
And Hart knows how to beat Leap To Fame, he’s done it three times with champion stayer Swayzee in major races.
“You couldn’t get more different horses, you had to ask Swayzee to do everything, but she just does so easily by herself,” he said.
“Swayzee’s given me so many great moments, but this mare is the most exciting horse I’ve driven. She’s the horse I want to be on to try and beat Larry (Leap To Fame) this week.
“I want to stay in front of him. That gives me options to try and lead throughout or stalk him and try to beat him with her speed.
“If you’re a fan of any racing, or just sport for that matter, don’t miss this race. It will be something really special and I’m lucky enough to be part of it.”
PHOTO: Toby Coutts
