By Duane Ranger
Shane Graham has driven Group winners in Australia, but described his 2.4 metre victory behind Catcha Lefty in Saturday’s Group Two $75,000 Queensland Derby at Albion Park as his most sentimental.
“I love ‘Lefty’. He’s a real toiler and certainly well known to many harness racing fans in Queensland. Charlie and Crissie (Monte) have done a splendid job with him and I’m so happy they have stuck by me.
“I’ve driven this little horse since his 2-year-old days and this is the one we have targeted all along. I’m so happy for the connections. If ever a horse deserved a big race win it’s this fella,” Graham said.
Catcha Lefty nabbed the biggest winning stake ($45,000) of his 26-race career when Graham managed to situate the 3-year-old Village Jasper gelding behind the hot favourite and pace-maker, Iceenothink (Chris Alford).
In treacherous conditions on a slushy, muddy track Catcha Lefty managed to roll over the top of them and win at odds of $48.40. He drew three and it was his 13th win. He’s also placed 10 times and now massed $168,523 in career stakes.
New Zealand’s best chance in the race, the Terry and Glenys Chmiel trained Nek Time was a disappointing 158-metre last.
“I’m a wee bit lost for words after that and I can only put it down to the wet conditions. She also failed in the wet in the New Zealand Oaks and then bounced back. We had her vet checked straight after the race and she seems okay,” Chmiel (Glenys) said after the 2680m mobile.
Driver Dexter Dunn echoed Chmiel’s thoughts saying the filly was flat a long way from home.
“She’s done a fantastic job this time in and is a real credit to Terry and Glenys. She just didn’t show the same toe when winning on the same track a week earlier.
“All I can put it down to is the wet track. She didn’t seem to like it all,” Dunn said.
But Graham was all smiles after Catcha Lefty’s 3:21.2 (mile rate 2:00.8) victory.
“I’m just so happy for him because he’s never had much luck in his races and has had a lot of seconds. He’s been very consistent without winning but this time we got a lot of luck in the running and managed to get home,” said Graham.
The local reinsman also paid a tribute to Catcha Lefty’s dam, the Fake Left 17-win ($117,033) mare Lefty.
“She’s been an awesome broodmare having left 11 foals for 11 winners, and this fella has been her most successful,” Graham said.
Catcha Lefty was bred by his owner and trainer, Cristina Monte.
His winning sectionals were: First quarter: 29.0; Second quarter: 32.4; Third Quarter: 28.9; Fourth quarter: 29.1.
Match In Heaven and the New Zealand-bred Stanley Ross Robyn filled the minors.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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