Interstate riches on the card

A TRIP across the border is on the cards for rampaging pacer Captains Knock.

Not content with dominating his home state's country features, trainer Brad Hewitt has set his sights on a pair of Victoria's provincial events.

Hewitt has earmarked the Bendigo and Shepparton Cups as likely targets between now and the next round of New South Wales' $1million scheme.

Harness Racing New South Wales is offering the mouth-watering funds for any pacer which can complete a clean sweep of five country features.

The governing body is also offering a $500,000 bonus for four wins and $250,000 for three wins.

Earlier this year, Swayzee secured $500,000 for connections by winning four of the five features during 'Season 2' of the Carnival of Cups.

Capturing The Bidgee at the Riverina Paceway three weeks ago, Captains Knock collected his second victory along the trail in Newcastle last night.

Bathurst is scheduled to host the next on January 30, paving the way for the son of Captaintreacherous to head south.

Bendigo's flagship event is scheduled for January 10, with Shepparton to take centre stage the following Saturday night.

The Bendigo and Shepparton Cups are part of Harness Racing Victoria's $1million bonus program.

"There is a fair gap between now and Bathurst, so I will head to Victoria with him," Hewitt said. "He thrives on racing and those two Cups fit in well for him.

"I'll also find something suitable, most likely at Club Menangle before then."

With Hewitt in the cart, Captains Knock dashed to the lead from barrier seven before striding to a comfortable seven-and-a-half metre win from Max Delight.

I Break The Line was four metres away third in 1:54.2 over 2555 metres.

"He has such good gate speed that I was always going to send him forward even from the wide draw," Hewitt said. "After that he did it well within himself and felt just as good at the finish as he did at the start.

"He's won the first two events for the bonus now, which is a terrific position to be in.

"Winning all five is by no means an easy task, which we saw with Swayzee, but we are on the right track."

HOOFNOTE: Albury will host the next Cup on February 13 before Penrith rounds out the $1million dream on March 20.