Joy to Drive the Captain

Thrilled; Chris Petroff reunites with star pacer Captain Joy in the Gold Coast Cup this Saturday night.

Star Sydney pacer Captain Joy is no stranger to success in Queensland.

Captain Joy, the only ‘official’ interstate raider for the Gr.2 $75,000 Kevin & Kay Seymour Gold Coast Cup at Parklands this Saturday night is expected to give his rivals plenty to think about despite being on the fresh side.

The former Derby King has not raced since finishing a close-up third at TABCORP Park, Melton behind superstar pacers Make Mine Cullen and Smoken Up in the Minuteman FFA on August 24.

Trainer Susan Hunter has booked gun local driver Chris Petroff for the drive this weekend.

“It’s a great thrill to be driving this horse again; I drove him as a 2yo in the Nursery Pace series and it’s awesome to see what he’s achieved since then.” Petroff said.

The skilful reinsman partnered the Mach Three gelding during the 2008 Nursery Pace Series where he won a heat before finishing a narrow second in the Gr.1 Final behind Deadsetlucky.

Plenty has happened since then juvenile glory days and his recent form suggests he’s back at the elite standard that he set as a younger horse judging by his recent form including a nose second in the Gr.1 Len Smith Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle behind Smoken Up before heading to Victoria where he finished behind Make Mine Cullen at his next two starts.

“He’s earned almost a million dollars so you know he’s got class to match it with the best horses going around. The draw certainly gives us a very good shot at the prize.

He’s been up here on the Gold Coast almost all week and his work this morning (Thursday) was very good, he looks great and because of his size, I don’t think it will take him long to be at peak fitness.

The McCarthy horses (Washakie & Terrorway) loom as the biggest threats. They have class and their recent form is very strong so they kind of standout as obvious dangers.”