Talented Victorian seven-year-old pacer Keayang Steamer last raced in New South Wales in the 2013 Chariots Of Fire. The son of Riverboat King finished fourth behind Christen Me, Smolda and Restrepo all subsequent Group One winners at Tabcorp Park Menangle. This Friday night, the Marg Lee trained gelding will be chasing Bankstown’s feature event of the year, the Treuer Memorial.
Regular driver Glen Craven will make the trip north to drive Keayang Steamer and believes he is a strong chance of winning after recording a 1:53.1 victory at Melton on Saturday night.
“From a driving perspective he is feeling and racing as well as he ever has and I think his last win proved that he isn’t too far off his best in regards to his form,” Craven said.
“The biggest query will be the track, he has never raced at Bankstown but he works on a half-mile track at home so I don’t think the size of the track is going to be too much of a concern.”
The Treuer Memorial looked an ideal race for Keayang Steamer over the longer distance.
“I think that’s why Marg was keen to get him to Sydney, Keayang Steamer loves the longer trip, she put him in hoping for a good draw and so far everything has gone to plan.
“He was probably a month behind where we wanted him in his preparation and therefore he wasn’t aimed at the Inter Dominion in Perth but if he is racing well and stands up to constant racing then I would think next year’s Inter at Gloucester Park would be a logical target.”
Since his Chariots Of Fire performance he has only raced seventeen times.
“There hasn’t been any major issue, no torn ligaments or anything that severe, we just couldn’t keep him strong enough.
“He couldn’t keep any muscle definition over his back and hindquarters so we changed his training program around and he does a lot more work up hill which has definitely helped him.”
Craven was happy with barrier number three in Friday’s event but is hoping the perfect gate doesn’t put a target on his back.
“In a race like the Treuer Memorial a good barrier draw is always important, three is perfect but it could quickly become a bad draw especially if the pace is hot.
“He’s definitely drawn to take advantage in the early stages.”
Craven will be having his first drive on the Bankstown track having previously driven in New South Wales at Menangle and the old Bathurst Showgrounds.
The Treuer Memorial is race six at the Bankstown meeting on Friday night and is scheduled to start at 9:10pm.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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