John Mattine couldn’t hide a smile as he leaned over the stall guard and kissed Cara Cara on the nose. “She’s just a great mare,” he said softly, as the five-year-old bay filly pricked her ears at the attention. The affection was genuine, the pride unmistakable and with good reason. Cara Cara heads into Sunday’s Zadracarta Stakes at Woodbine in the form of her career, and connections believe she’s ready to deliver again.
The $100,000 turf sprint for Ontario-bred fillies and mares, three years old and upward, will be contested over five furlongs on Woodbine’s inner turf course. Cara Cara, owned and bred by Norseman Racing Stable, has proven her toughness time and again, amassing a record of 5-7-6 from 27 starts and earnings of $354,113.
“She can rate,” said Mattine, reflecting on her latest performance — a rallying neck victory at the same distance on the main track. “She doesn’t always need the lead. Last time, she got shuffled back and it actually worked out. She came up the rail and showed a lot of grit.”
A Road Marked by Setbacks and Grit
Cara Cara’s story has never been straightforward. Early in her career, she flashed serious talent before an injury halted her momentum. A chip in her knee, discovered after the 2022 Victorian Queen Stakes, forced a lengthy layoff. Yet, after 250 days away, she returned with her hallmark toughness intact.
Her comeback featured a maiden-breaking five-length score on the main track, a race that reminded Mattine why he had always believed in her. “She showed us how much heart and determination she has,” he recalled. “She’s small but stocky, and she fights like a big horse.”
Since then, Cara Cara has been a model of consistency, posting 12 top-three finishes from her last 15 starts. Her competitive edge, combined with her quirky barn habits — she’s fond of mints and has a playful tendency to nip when your back is turned — has made her a stable favorite.
The Field Awaits
Sunday won’t be easy. Cara Cara draws the outside post in a field of eight that includes multiple stakes winners Pop Idol and Olivia Rose, alongside the seasoned Botta Swing and Little Teddy. Thermal makes her Canadian debut for trainer John Sadler, while Whiskey N Ice and Zana add further depth.
Still, Mattine is confident in his mare’s readiness. “She’s professional when it counts. Game day, she brings it,” he said. “We’ll see what she can do.”
Fans at Woodbine, and those wagering through HPIbet.com and bet365.com, will be treated to a compelling renewal of the Zadracarta Stakes, with Cara Cara firmly at the heart of the story.
Race 6 – $100,000 Zadracarta Stakes Field
1 – Botta Swing – Ryan Munger – Barb Minshall
2 – Pop Idol – Sahin Civaci – George Weaver
3 – Whisky N Ice – Fraser Aebly – Mark Casse
4 – Little Teddy – Austin Adams – Santino Di Paola
5 – Zana – Jose Campos – Steve Flint
6 – Olivia Rose – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
7 – Thermal – Rafael Hernandez – John Sadler
8 – Cara Cara – Jeffrey Alderson – John Mattine
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