Racey Krusa overcomes adversity

Racey Krusa (Peak) has beaten the odds by winning the Rakaia Mid-Week Golfers Mobile Trot at Methven yesterday.

The seven-year-old Peak harness racing gelding was almost retired about a year ago until owner and breeder Bruce Graham decided to opt for a wind operation.

“He had a bit of a rough run there for a while, but we got it corrected about a year ago,” said Graham.

“It’s one of those things where we decided to bite the bullet and do it.”

“I was pleased when we saw this mile race. Methven has always been very kind to me. We’ve always gone well here.”

Graham bred, owned and trained Quality Invasion to win the trotters version of the Green Mile back at Methven in 2012. That time of 1.58.6 has only been superseded in 2017 by Green Mile winner Everybody Knows (1.58.4) who now holds the race record.

Racey Krusa began well for trainer and driver Amber Lethaby to secure the one by one position throughout, before being left exposed in the parked position after race favourite Moa Mojito made a mistake. Tackling pacemaker Speeding Spirit at the top of the straight, Lethaby and Racey Krusa gained a short margin in front which they maintained to the line winning by half a length.

“The owners deserve that one. They’ve been so patient with him,” said Amber Lethaby.

“He does a bit of thinking. So I thought while I had him running I would just keep him running instead of grabbing him up then making him sprint again. It’s a mind game with him.”

Racey Krusa’s win was his third which tags along with his 13 placings, while it was the 53rd career victory as a trainer for Lethaby, who also placed with Sweet Glory earlier on the card.

RACEY KRUSA REPLAY

Other highlights on the programme included junior driver Riley Harrison recording a race day driving double with Jasprit Trouble for local trainer Michael Heenan, and She’s Tough for Brad Mowbray.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand