February 29, Smoken Pump Action
When trainer Matthew Craven first put Smoken Pump Action into work he wasn’t all that impressed, but continued improvement saw the former New Zealander take out the 2016 Baxter Hire and Ubet Mount Gambier Pacing Gold Cup (2590m).
Smoken Pump Action ($3.40), coming off the front, virtually led throughout to score a 13-1/2 metre win from Adams Express (73.50) with last year’s Cup winner Magical Bazz (26.10) 2-1/2 metres away third.
The winner was driven by Peter Craven, the trainer’s father, who came out of a self-imposed virtual retirement, to take the reins saying he preferred to let younger drivers such as Matthew and Jason Lee to improve their prowess in the sulky.
Matthew Craven was in Sydney with his star three-year-old Cant Refuse, which less than 24 hours later, went on to run second to the champion New Zealander Our Waikiki Beach in the New South Wales Derby.
Peter Craven showed he had lost none of his touch at Mount Gambier with a masterful drive in the stand start race.
“He was going back a bit when the tapes were released,” Craven said.
“The second row horses were alongside me before he hit his straps but he went quickly and within 30 metres I was up third and decided to keep going.
“There was a bit of a battle for the lead but once in front I was able to rate the horse ideally.
“I got away with a slow (32.9) first quarter of the last mile, then he got a bit keen going into the back so I decided to let him run and he scored comfortably.”
Matthew Craven said Sydney owner Mark McGuire had contacted him last year to take the horse.
“I think he had good form in New Zealand and was purchased to run at Menangle but only had a few runs in 2013 before ending up in a paddock,” Craven said.
“Mark said his family loved the horse and one day because he looked so good they decided to put him back into work. A friend of his had horses with me and I was suggested as the trainer.
“When he got here I thought he was a big ugly type and his work suggested I would be lucky to win a race with him but he has just kept improving.
“We’ve now won four races from five starts with him and I will look to place him to keep the run going, and the good thing is he can handle the stands.”
The trainer said he was very pleased for owner Mark McGuire.
For Peter and Matthew Craven it was their first success in the Mount Gambier Gold Cup.
“The committee are very enthusiastic and promote the club and I was pleased to be able to have a few runners at the cup meeting, and take off the main race,” Matthew Craven said.
The Cravens also combined to land first-starter Whata Challenge ($1.10 fav) a winner of the R J and J M Healey Husqvarna Pace (1790m) for two-year-olds.
“He is a nice horse who has been a steady improver since I put him into training and I think he can keep getting better,” Craven said.
The trainer also said he might be a visitor to Globe Derby Park later this month.
“I have a few nice three-year-old fillies who might be suited to the SA Oaks,” he said.
The Oaks will be run at Globe Derby Park on Saturday, March 26.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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