By Michael Howard (HRV)<\/p>\n
There were two outstanding pacing Captains on the good ship Breeders Crown but it\u2019s the one who was simply Ravishing that will have tongues wagging for a long time to come.<\/p>\n
Despite being just a 3-YO and in only his 12th\u00a0start, Captain Ravishing\u2019s stunning victory in a 1:51.1 mile rate in the Woodlands Stud final for three-year-old boys was the defining exclamation mark on another magic night for Emma Stewart\u2019s stable.<\/p>\n
The Cardigan trainer claimed six of the 10 races at Tabcorp Park Melton last Saturday night, including four Group 1s, the 14th\u00a0time her stable has won six or more races on a single card (the next most is Gary Hall Snr with nine).<\/p>\n
None were better than the almost 30-metre win by Captain Ravishing, which knocked two outstanding pacers out of the history books.<\/p>\n
Lochinvar Art\u2019s stunning 2020 Victoria Cup triumph set a new mark (1:51.4) for the much-travelled middle distance at Tabcorp Park Melton, which was then matched by Hurricane Harley a tick over a month later when the pair went head-to-head in a classic Breeders Crown stoush.<\/p>\n
That was lowered by three-tenths by Captain Ravishing and it was a thrilled Mark Pitt who spoke to Sky Racing\u2019s Brittany Graham post-race.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was just cruising to the line,\u201d Pitt said.<\/p>\n
“It’s actually something special to sit behind a horse like this. I’ve sat behind many good horses in Ride High and a few others, I think this one is top of the tree that I’ve sat behind.”<\/p>\n
The final was frenetic from the outset, with Ripp racing true to his name for Bernie and Doug Hewitt and tearing to the lead in a 42.5-second lead time.<\/p>\n
With Captain Ravishing sat on his outside, the New South Wales\u2019 team\u2019s plan of attack appeared clear, as they attempted to turn the race into a battle of the fittest to soften up the speed machine.<\/p>\n
There was no let up in the 56.8sec\u00a0first half, but rather than shrink Captain Ravishing found gears, pressing on in 27.4 and 27.9 third and fourth quarters that obliterated his rivals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a little bit concerned that they did go a strong lead time and first quarter, but I knew I had the horse underneath me,\u201d Pitt said.<\/p>\n
Come the line he would win by 28.8 metres from his nearest rival, Matt Craven’s Flash Jimmy, and will have many dreaming of future clashes with his Victoria Derby conqueror Leap To Fame.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Michael Howard (HRV) There were two outstanding pacing Captains on the good ship Breeders Crown but it\u2019s the one who was simply Ravishing that will have tongues wagging for a long time to come. Despite being just a 3-YO and in only his 12th\u00a0start, Captain Ravishing\u2019s stunning victory in a 1:51.1 mile rate in […]<\/p>\n