Craven pair on FastTrack to success in 1200-metre series

The TAB FastTrack 1200 again drew increased wagering and interest, and surplus nominations ensured strong harness racing fields will front for Wednesday’s series finale.

Among the contenders will be Matt Craven’s pair Bolramski (Art Major) and Oorah (Art Major), with the former hoping to sweep the series with a victory on each night and the latter expected to win both the first and last races of the three-week TAB FastTrack 1200.

The trial had its second night last Wednesday, when the six races drew turnover of almost $1.8 million, just shy of replicating the growth experienced on night one (more than $1.9 million). The night two result was a 30 per cent increase on the preceding eight-week Wednesday average.

The enthusiasm will roll into the trial’s final night, with a further six 1200-metre races to launch Wednesday’s Melton program, beginning with the first at 5.30pm. There were 73 acceptors for the 1200-metre races, the most of the three weeks, indicating the series has been well received by participants.

That’s certainly the case for Craven, whose four TAB FastTrack 1200 wins have been the quickest victories of the series.

“I like these races, they will suit certain horses more than others,” Craven said. “It is only a small amount of races in the grand scheme of things and if the turnover is on par I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t program more of them going forward.

“Like different tracks suit different horses, different distances suit different horses. From what I’ve gathered if you can be positive on a fast horse you are set up well to win the race, which is as it should be.”

One of those horses who has been suited is Oorah, the brilliantly bred three-year-old by Art Major out of speed machine Arms Of An Angel.

“If he was a galloper he would be a 1000-metre runner,” Craven said. “He is a pretty aggressive horse. He likes to get racing. The 1200-metre racing probably suited him down to the ground this preparation.

“It’s a good way to go to the races and give him a good experience. I wasn’t 100 per cent sure how he’d handle it, but it was particularly pleasing that he was able to show his speed but also relax down the back.”

On Wednesday night he will again be in the hands of veteran reinsman Peter Craven, Matt’s dad, who will hope to replicate his big night one win.

The only horses who have been faster in the series are Craven’s other winning pair Rubins Plight (82.9 seconds) and Bolramski (82.8 and 82.9 seconds), with the latter to chase a series sweep in the fifth race on Wednesday.

“We are lucky we had some horses well graded and progressive,” Craven said. “I want to see them run similar patterns, driven in the same way – to be driven out early and hard to run down.”

The series is being used to sharpen Bolramski for the rich, forthcoming Alabar Farms Vicbred Super Series, while Craven said his head-strong stablemate Oorah was “50-50” to plot a similar route.

The TAB FastTrack 1200 races can be watched live on Sky Racing and TrotsVision, with extended coverage on SEN Track.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria