Craven targeting dual State success

Mattie Craven will have one eye on the harness racing action at Melton as he tackles a string of feature races at Menangle on Saturday night (Feb. 11).

It’s that time of year where Menangle takes centre stages and several Victorian trainers, including Craven, split their focus and teams between Melton and Menangle on a Saturday night.

Three of Craven’s stars – Heza Son Of Agun (Art Major), Credit Master (Muscle Mass) and Crime Writer (Sportwriter) – will strut their stuff at Menangle.

He’s also got four runners, including the emerging Bettor Call Me, in action at Melton.

The major focus is on classy four-year-old Heza Son Of Agun, who needs a top four finish in the $50,000 Paleface Adios Stakes (1609m) at Menangle, to qualify for next week’s Group 1 Chariots Of Fire at the same track.

That would mean another clash with Austalasia’s most exciting pacer Captain Ravishing.

Heza Son Of Agun, already a Group 1 winner at two, was best of those left in Captain Ravishing’s wake when beaten 21.8m into second spot in last Saturday night’s $100,000 4YO Bonanza at Melton.

“It’s a mini Grand Final for him with only the first four getting into the Chariots, but he’s getting back closer to his best form and he’s drawn well (gate three),” Craven said.

“He’s come through last week’s improved run well. Chasing Captain Ravishing certainly hasn’t taken anything out of him.

“I’m glad we haven’t got Captain Ravishing to deal with this week, but Catch A Wave is there and he’s a star, too. He’s the one we have to beat even from his wide draw (gate 11). I think the big Menangle track will really suit him.

“I’ll be trying to get across the one horse (Invitation Only) at the start to find the lead and that gives us options.”

Craven is hopeful more than confident with Crime Writer in the free-for-all (race seven).

“He won’t be out of place, but he always needs the tempo to suit and some luck. He’s that sort of horse,” he said. “It’s hard to see how we can beat Bondi Lockdown in that one after he went so well first-up the other night.

“I’ve also got Credit Master in the trot (race five), but he’ll need the run. His target is the (Group 1) Hammerhead on March 4 at Menangle.”

Craven rates the talented Bettor Call Me, who will be driven by his brother Glen, as his best winning hope at Melton.

“He’s drawn the back row, but will be improved by his tough first-up run last week when he sat outside the leader,” he said.

“I’ve got two runners in race eight and I’d lean to Rubins Plight ahead of Hes A Cool Mach, but Andy Gath’s horse (Outlaw Man) is the one we all have to beat from the pole in that one,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia