Eye Keep Smiling. Photo by Club Menangle
AUSTRALIA'S premier racing venue Club Menangle will host its popular Pacing In Pink meeting on Saturday night.
Along with celebrating females - human and equine - within the industry, the evening supports the McGrath Foundation in its mission to raise awareness and funds for women's cancer treatment.
Headed by Queen Elizabeth II Stake, the program includes the New South Wales Pacers' and Trotters' Oaks and MacArthur Mile...all Group Ones.
A Lady Drivers' Invitational and the time-honoured Pink Bonnet are part of the support card.
The southern hemisphere's pinnacle mares' race, the $200,000 QEII has attracted a stellar field, including reigning champion Eye Keep Smiling.
The daughter of Sweet Lou rounded out her defence preparation by capturing last week's qualifier - Robin Dundee Stake - for trainer Luke McCarthy.
Although pleased with Eye Keep Smiling's form, McCarthy admitted the six-year-old has a daunting task ahead.
The source of McCarthy's concern is rampaging mare, Captains Mistress.
Not only has Captains Mistress won six of her seven starts for Jason Grimson, she has beaten Eye Keep Smiling during their two previous clashes.
Captains Mistress' unplaced run was a fifth in the Miracle Mile on March 14.
Given a break after the Grand Circuit event, Captains Mistress won a trial in 1:51 last Wednesday.
"I couldn't be happier with her," McCarthy said. "Last week was the best she has gone this preparation and her work has been terrific.
"Captains Mistress is just a machine...she's just on another level at the moment.
"There is no doubt she is the one to beat. I'm not conceding defeat, but it's going to take a lot to beat her."
McCarthy will partner Eye Keep Smiling from barrier four, with Captains Mistress drawn gate two.
To be driven by Cameron Hart, Captains Mistress is a short $1.85 TAB Fixed Odds favourite, with Eye Keep Smiling on the second line of betting at $8.50.
As mentioned earlier, the Pacers' and Trotters' Oaks will be contested, with Adelaide Red in a solid position to secure another Group One.
Providing Victorian-based trainer Amy Day with her initial top shelf victory thanks to her Breeders' Crown success last December, Adelaide Red is engaged in the Trotters' Oaks.
To be driven by Day, the daughter of Pastor Stephen has drawn barrier four, but slots into three with a removal of the emergency.
Blessed with gate speed, Adelaide Red is expected to settle in a prominent position during the early stages of the 1609-metre classic.
"I'm very happy with the draw," Day said. "She comes out quickly, so hopefully we can be in, or near, the lead."
Scoring in Maryborough on April 20 when first-up from a four-month spell, the filly is on the fourth row of betting at $8 with TAB Fixed Odds.
In what shapes as a wide open affair, another Victorian - Jilliby Aura - is the $2.60 favourite from gate five, with Elle Perfecto the main danger at $3.20 from 10.
Talented but wayward youngster Gladiatrix is next at $6.50 from barrier 11.
"It is a very even field," Day said. "I was happy with my filly’s first run back and she has tightened up since.
"We'll have to wait and see how the race pans out, but I'm confident with her."
Victorians are also destined to play a strong role in the Pacers' Oaks, with Arrhythmia a $2.60 favourite despite drawing wide in barrier nine.
Arrhythmia's Emma Stewart-trained stablemate, Willows Girl, is listed at $5.50 from gate five.
Arrhythmia won her Oaks heat in 1:50.2 when second-up from a spell, while Willows Girl kept her perfect season intact by securing a qualifier in 1:50.9.
Also triumphant in a heat, local filly Ark Sea splits the pair at $4.20 from barrier 12.
The Sam Hewitt-trained daughter of Stay Hungry moves into 10 once the emergencies are taken out of the equation.
