USA trip planned for Aiken and Cranbourne

David Aiken is planning a trip to the USA with new stable harness racing acquisition Cranbourne (Sir Lincoln), but not before a tilt at some Australian feature races.

The master trainer, who said he was doing well following a recent prostate cancer diagnosis, has taken charge of the former Kiwi pacer after he was purchased by American friend Steve Finkelstein.

Aiken’s plan is to chase some features here in Victoria and New South Wales before joining Cranbourne on a trip overseas during late March.

“I was supposed to go last year actually, before I got sick,” Aiken said.

“If I go over there for maybe a week or two and just settle him in, it would be good. It would be more of a holiday than working.

“The Sydney carnival will be finished by then and Max Delight probably wouldn’t be going to the (Queensland) winter carnival… it’s a good time of year if I can do it.”

Aiken said it was unclear who would train Cranbourne in the USA, but believed Finkelstein himself might even prepare the son of Lincoln Royal. His last start was on December 4 in the Summer Cup Free For All when he placed seventh behind B D Joe, Self Assured and Spankem.

Aiken said Cranbourne, a 12-time winner from 44 starts in New Zealand, had been at his Avenel stables for about three weeks.

“I really like him,” Aiken said.

“He’s very good-gaited, and very laid back and lazy.

“Even when you jog him, he’s pretty laid back. He’s probably the right horse to go to the States because he’ll last a long time and doesn’t knock himself around.”

Aiken will run Cranbourne in this Saturday night’s Shepparton Gold Cup, with Nathan Jack to take the drive from barrier four.

From there it’s somewhat of a blank canvas, but Aiken is keen to give the six-year-old a crack at the Miracle Mile via the qualifying races in New South Wales.

“I’ll just see how he progresses,” Aiken said.

“I’d like to take him to Sydney and give him a shot there. I’d imagine he’d probably stay up there until the plane goes (to the US).”

Max Delight ran a great race for third in last weekend’s Bendigo Pacing Cup and will join stablemate Cranbourne in the Group 2 feature at Shepparton on Saturday night.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV