Caruana hoping District Attorney will exceed expectations

Blake Caruana is hoping District Attorney (Courage Under Fire) will again “exceed expectations” when the lightly-raced harness racing pacer lines up in the APG Gold Bullion (4YO) Final at Melton on Saturday night (May 6).

Caruana, who trains the pacer in partnership with his father Ted, admits District Attorney’s previous last-to-first win at Melton three weeks ago was somewhat unexpected.

“From where he was in the run on a wet track, I would have been happy if he’d finished in the top five but to do what he did really exceeded all expectation,” Caruana said.

“It was a peach of a drive from Mick (Bellman) who got him on the back of the right horses and he showed that he is as fast as any over 200 metres.”

District Attorney has only missed a place once in his career and Caruana said there was an excuse for that unplaced effort in a heat of the Victoria Derby.

“We found that he was sick which was disappointing because we’ve always liked him and were  always thinking Derby with him,” he said.

John Caldow will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record on the reigning APG Gold Bullion two-year-old champion Mister Hunter (Mister Hunter) in the APG Gold Bullion Final for three-year-old colts and geldings.

“I’ve only had the three drives on him this time in and he’s a beautiful horse to drive,” Caldow said.

“He’s a real professional who can lead or sit and kick, and you don’t have to panic on him because he does everything right.”

Caldow has to contend with an outside front row draw on the $2.90 second elect behind the Emma Stewart-trained Gawn ($2.50 fav).

“We’ll come out and have a look, but it’s not really an option to go back over the 1720 metres so we’ll need to find a position and hope the speed is on,” he said.

Earlier in the night, Sahara Breeze is expected to provide the progeny of broodmare Sahara Miss with a second feature in as many weeks when she tackles the APG Gold Bullion (3YO Fillies) Final.

Unlike her older half-brother Sahara Sirocco, who saluted in the Mildura Cup at $151, bookmakers have installed Sahara Breeze as the $1.40 favorite from her suitable front row draw.

Trainer Gary Quinlan said the daughter of Captaintreacherous was underdone in her heat win at Kilmore last week.

“We had to rush her preparation to get her ready for the heat, and if she hasn’t taken any harm from the run, she should be better for the run,” Quinlan said.

Sahara Breeze was a finalist in the Breeders Crown (2YO Fillies) Final before heading to the spelling paddock.

“She spent last season chasing home some of Emma Stewart’s good fillies, so she’ll appreciate not having to do that here,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria