Captains Mistress winning the 2026 Chariots Of Fire
A DRAMATIC barrier draw has seen wonder mare Captains Mistress challenge defending champion Leap To Fame for favouritism in Saturday night’s $1 million Ladbrokes Inter Dominion final at Albion Park.
Two-time winner Leap To Fame drew poorly off the back row (gate 11), while the brilliant Captains Mistress will work to the lead from barrier six.
Underlining the impact of the draw, Leap To Fame eased markedly from $1.50 to $2.20. It’s the biggest odds he’s been in a race since winning the 2024 Miracle Mile.
Captains Mistress’ odds were slashed from $4 into $2.50 and some believe she may challenge for favouritism.
“I’m very confident now after the draw, she should end up in front,” Captains Mistress’ trainer Jason Grimson said.
“She’s the most explosive horse I’ve trained and getting the front row is a huge advantage.”
“I wanted to draw the front to stay in front of Leap To Fame and we’ve got that now.”
Grimson’s hopes of winning the final go beyond Captains Mistress after his other two runners Minos (gate 3, $5.50) and Dangerous (gate 5, $9) also drew well.
“Minos will be right in this now. I think he’ll end up behind the leader and that’ll give him a great chance. He’s flying and he’s so strong as his win showed last Saturday,” Grimson said.
“Dangerous won easily last Saturday and he should settle handy in the running line, maybe one-out and two-back, which will give him his chance in a race that’s sure to be run very strongly.”
Cam Hart drives Captains Mistress, Grimson himself is on Minos and he said young NSW freelancer Jye Coney would likely drive Dangerous.
The market says Leap To Fame and Grimson’s trio are the only serious winning chances after the draw with Emma Stewart’s Victorian pair Bay Of Biscay (gate 13) and War Dan Buddy (one) next best at $26.
In the trotting series, A cruel back row draw (gate 11) for defending champion Arcee Phoenix and ideal gate two for local star Gus were the talking points.
Despite being beaten last Saturday night, Gus is $1.35 favourite from gate two, while Arcee Phoenix eased to $14.
Arcee Phoenix’s trainer Chris Svanosio also fared poorly with his other key finalist, Lovemeto, who eased from $8 to $18 from inside the back row (gate eight).
“It’s certainly not ideal,” Svanosio said. “We’re going to need luck and the race run to suit us with those two now. At least my other runner (Gotfeelingsyouknow) drew better (gate three).”
Luck was also against brilliant Victorian mare Jilliby Dreamlover, who will have to start from outside the back row (gate 13) after her sparkling Great Square win gained her a golden ticket into the final.
INTER DOMINION BARRIER DRAWS
PACING FINAL
Front row: War Dan Buddy ($26), Triedtotellya ($101), Minos ($5.50), Max Delight ($71), Dangerous ($9), Captains Mistress ($2.50), Cheerstolou ($41).
Back row: Tims A Trooper ($101), Dashing ($81), Nyack ($81), Leap To Fame ($2.20), Fighter Command ($41), Bay Of Biscay ($26).
TROTTING FINAL
Front row: Im Bobby ($7.50), Gus ($1.35), Gotfeelingsyouknow ($12), Zealous Spur ($81), Mufasa Metro ($34), Rockinwithattitude ($12), Toro Stride ($34).
Back row: Lovemeto ($18), Keayang Stuka ($41), Hide And Seek ($151), Arcee Phoenix ($14), Golden Sunset ($201), Jilliby Dreamlover ($16).
