1000 reasons to celebrate at Melton

Western District horseman Mattie Craven’s “first winner in town in a while” was extra special – bringing up his milestone 1000^th harness racing win as a driver last night at Melton (May 4).

Craven showed fine touch, piloting Heza Son of Agun (Art Major) to a last-stride victory in the fast-class event, the Allied Express Pace, edging out District Attorney (Jodi Quinlan) by a half-head.

1000 driving wins for Matthew Craven!
An incredible win by Heza Son Of Agun in the Allied Express Pace takes Matthew Craven to this brilliant career milestone. Congrats! pic.twitter.com/xXSsmfM4Gk

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) May 4, 2024

The five-year-old entire was having only his second run back from an extended spell and was sent out at odds of 50/1 in a wide-open event.

Craven believes the long layoff after a Sydney Group 1 campaign in August last year could prove a blessing in disguise.

“He did a lot of racing as a two-, three- and four-year-old and we were lucky to be able to give him a nice break.  It was a pity we had to late scratch him a couple of weeks ago,” Craven said.

“I was a bit worried when he lost the back of District Attorney in the three wide line around the home corner, but once we straightened up, he dug deep.  On the line I didn’t think I had got there but he kept working right to the end,” he said.

Heza Son of Agun last season captured the Paleface Adios (Group three), as well as the Bold David and Young Pedro Free For All events at Melton last season before his Sydney campaign, and is now a winner of $330,000 in stakes.

Craven’s 1000^th win in the sulky adds to a long list of achievements for one of Victoria’s most successful horsemen. His CV includes nine Group ones, seven Group twos, 19 Group threes and three listed classic races as a driver.  He also has 665 wins as a trainer.

The win was his first driving win at a Melton Metropolitan meeting since March (with Oorah).

“It was nice to get a winner in town – it’s been a while!” Craven said.

“But it’s a credit to the whole team at home (at Ecklin South). Hopefully we can keep Heza Son of Agun rolling along now and keep him improving.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink