Fides makes good on owner faith

The faith of the Fides (Rock N Roll Heaven) connections was rewarded when the Matt Craven trained pacer overpowered his harness racing rivals in the Hamilton Pacing Cup at Hamilton on Sunday (Jan. 14).

Fides, the $2.20 favorite, settled towards the rear of the field before Craven pulled out three wide at the bell and shortly after managed to secure a three wide trail into the race on the back of Arggghhh.

Once balanced on straightening, Fides produced a devastating finale to score running away by four metres from Sew What with Arggghhh a metre away third.

Craven said the final lap of the race fell suitably into place.

“I got a perfect trail on the back of Arggghhh who took me a long way into the race,” Craven said.

“He’s always been a very fast horse with good ability- the issue has always been his soundness,” he said.

FREAKISH FIDES!
Trainer-driver Mattie Craven gave yet another salute behind Fides as the injury-plagued speedster produced some of his best to win the Matthews Petroleum Hamilton Pacing Cup! pic.twitter.com/pPFFZRKjhv

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) January 14, 2024

Now an eight-year-old, Fides has only had 29 career starts due to ongoing soundness issues.

“He has a tendency to tear muscles and they are significant,” Craven said.

Fides was off the scene from April 2020 until he returned to the track in November 2022 only to be absent for a further 12 months after suffering a fracture to a leg.

“We only got two runs out of him and he injured a fetlock so his owners have had to be patient but hopefully they are about to reap the benefits,” he said.

“I just hope he stays sound.”

Craven said Fides is likely to line up in the Wedderburn Pacing Cup to be run at Maryborough at the end of the month.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink