Captains Mistress. Photo by Club Menangle
An ideal draw can see star mare Captains Mistress put her Miracle Mile horror story behind her and land another Group 1 win on Coutts Pacing For Pink night at Menangle on Saturday.
Captains Mistress will start a raging favourite in the Queen Elizabeth II Mile, one of four Group 1 races for the fillies and mares on a bumper program.
Captains Mistress had been so impressive in racking up the wins since crossing from New Zealand for this campaign - highlighted by a Chariots of Fire triumph – that she was one of the fancies when tackling the big guns in the Miracle Mile in March.
The race turned into a nightmare though with the mare badly strung up in traffic and unable to get a crack at her rivals, winding up fifth to Leap To Fame.
She hasn't raced for seven weeks since but was readied with a trial win and has the speed to take full advantage of barrier two.
She is beautifully placed against the mares and her performances from earlier this year suggest she could be a level above them.
Last year's winner Eye Keep Smiling is back in form at the right time, coming from wider to win last week's Robin Dundee.
She has been no match for Captains Mistress when they've met this year but she has been a topline mare for a few seasons now and has a great record at the Menangle mile.
Tokyo Rose was just edged out by Eye Keep Smiling last week, her first defeat in five tries at the circuit and distance. A wide draw doesn't help but she is good enough to be involved from out there.
Last year's luckless runner-up Steno can feature again having come from wider to win the Sibelia last start.
The outside barrier has presented a challenge to classy filly Ark Sea in the NSW Pacing Oaks but she came from the same draw to easily win her heat last week.
There is obviously more depth in the final but her campaign has been timed to have her peaking tonight and class will carry her a long way.
The timing also looks right for Arrhythmia. She set the benchmark for juvenile fillies in Victoria last season by winning both the Vicbred and Breeders Crown finals last season and came from a wider draw to win her heat last week.
She has won both previous third-up attempts so will be peaking and looks a massive danger.
Sparkling Sea got back on track with her Golden Easter Egg win at the circuit and distance last start. She draws much wider but came from the same barrier when she won the Raith Memorial in March.
Willows Girl is impossible to knock having won all four starts this time in, highlighted by her win over several of her Oaks rivals in the Gold Bracelet. She must go in along with Ripples who draws wide but is reliable.
Jilliby Ballerini relished the absence of Keayang Zahara to land a well-deserved Group 1 win at Melton last week and gets an immediate chance to add another in the Macarthur Mile.
She has been runner-up to her star stablemate multiple times this campaign including the TAB Trot in NZ, the Great Southern Star and Hammerhead Mile over Saturday's circuit and distance.
That form stands out in this race so she is clearly the one to beat.
Jilliby Dreamlover was first up for eight weeks when second to Jilliby Ballerini in the Sumthingaboutmaori last week and also placed behind her in both the Great Southern Star and Kilmore Cup earlier this year. It'll be tough to turn the tables but she may strip fitter and draws well.
Rockinwithattitude is going well, placing behind the two Jillibys last week and winning two of her previous three outings. She draws wide but has won two of three attempts at Menangle.
It could be a big night for the Lee stable with Jilliby Aura well fancied in the NSW Trotters Oaks.
She looks to have come back in fine order having raced parked from the same barrier (four) in beating the boys for a fresh win at Bendigo.
Jilliby Aura was one of the better Victorian fillies of last season, winning the Nutrien Classic and placing in both the Vicbred and Breeders Crown finals. She should be improved second-up and draws better than some of her main rivals.
Elle Perfecto cops another wide draw but has come from similar barriers in winning twice at Menangle already this campaign. She is race fit and capable.
Gladiatrix came from this barrier when runner-up to Elle Perfecto last start and was second against the boys in the Gold Coronet earlier in her campaign. She is a player with her A-game.
Adelaide Red was an upset Breeders Crown winner over a few of these rivals at the end of last campaign and a fresh win suggests she is back in good order. She has the speed to be prominent from a low draw.
