Delight as speed Demon makes comeback

Harness racing trainer Mattie Craven wishes he could be in two places at once on Saturday night.

Craven launches his NSW Inter Dominion assault with trotters Pink Galahs and Lotamuscle, but his most fascinating runner is one-time budding superstar Demon Delight at Tabcorp Park Melton.

Demon Delight boasts 11 wins and six seconds from just 25 starts, but injuries have sidelined him for almost two years.

The five-year-old ran fourth in the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire on February 22 last year and hasn’t raced since winning the Group 2 City Of Melton Plate in stunning style at Melton on March 21, 2020.

Craven is renowned for his rehabilitation facilities and program and that’s how Demon Delight found his way to his stable from the premier barn of Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin.

“He’s been here a long time. He’s a stallion and he got so big and fat, it’s been a long haul to get him ready to race again,” he said.

“He arrived here back in February or even maybe early March and it’s been one step at a time since.

“His trials haven’t been anything special and he’s so lazy at home it’s really hard to get a gauge on where he’s at.

“With a record like his, there are no easy races. He’s up against a really good field this week and they’re race fit. It’s hard to be confident. It’s really a fingers-crossed job to hope he runs well and gives us something to build on.”

Demon Delight has drawn gate two in Saturday night’s Equine Effect Westburn Grant Free For All, where he will be driven by James Herbertson. Click here to see fields.

Craven’s confidence is only slightly higher with glamour mare Pink Galahs and the improving former Kiwi, Lotamuscle, in their respective Inter Dominion heats at Menangle on Saturday night.

“I couldn’t be happier with both of them, but they’ll need luck from their barrier draws,” he said.

“It seems strange to say that when Pink Galahs has the pole, but it’s probably the worst draw for her in some ways. At least she’ll be on the inside, but probably shuffled at least three-back and need luck at the right time to see daylight.

“Lotamuscle is one to jot down. I am so happy with him. He’ll really surprise a few in this series. He’ll love the four runs and long distance (3009m) if we can get him through to the final.

“He’s drawn inside the back row and will probably be three or four back on the inside, which is a good sort of run to kick-off the series for him.”

Craven has also taken his exciting three-year-old Better Call Me to Sydney for the time-honoured Carousel series, which is being run in tandem with the Inter Dominion.

“He’s on the quick back-up from a fantastic third in the Breeders Crown last week,” Craven said. “He’s taking on older horses, but he’s not eligible for the Vicbred series back home, so it’s have a crack at this or turn him out for a spell.”

To view the fields for Menangle on Saturday night click here.

By Adam Hamilton for HRV