Sport
10 June, 2021
Craven hoping for Shadow Sax spark
MATTHEW Craven hopes to see a spark from champion Shadow Sax this weekend as the Ecklin trainer looks to reignite the embattled pacer’s racing career.
MATTHEW Craven hopes to see a spark from champion Shadow Sax this weekend as the Ecklin trainer looks to reignite the embattled pacer’s racing career.
The proven group winner, which headlines Craven’s hand of pacers bound for Melton this Saturday, will resume from a short break in the $24,000 TAB Italian Cup over 2240 metres.
Recent injury setbacks have plagued the twilight of Shadow Sax’s days as a racehorse but Craven remains hopeful the Shadow Play gelding can rediscover its best form.
A group one winner at two years of age, Shadow Sax last tasted victory as a six year-old 935 days ago in the group three Alm Free For All.
“He’s got to show something his next couple of starts or he’ll be retired to a good home,” Craven said.
“I think you’ll find he’s probably past his best now so he needs to show some spark or we’ll pull the pin.”
Craven said the eight year-old was in good spirits and was training well ahead of the event but conceded questions lingered over the star.
“He came home from Adelaide (in April) a bit knocked up so we gave him a pretty easy time and he’s back into it now,” he said.
“But I’m just not sure of his mindset and whether he wants to do it anymore.
“He obviously didn’t travel so well but his couple of starts prior indicated he was getting back towards his best.
“But how many setbacks can a horse have before they don’t put their heart into it anymore? When racing at the level he is you need to be 110 per cent, so we’ll see how he goes.”
Questions also linger over stablemate Lamandier, who makes the trip to town following a recent country victory.
However, they centre on the colt’s racing manners, with the young pacer to contest the Woodlands Stud three year-old pace.
“He had a real positive run winning at Horsham so it’ll be a case of seeing if he turns up and races genuine,” Craven said.
“If the right horse turns up he’ll be very competitive but if he overraces, which he tends to do a lot, he will find it very hard.”
Craven said the stable planned to utilise the gate five draw for the son of Somebeachsomewhere in the 2240 metre event.
“He’s got exceptional gate speed and he probably races most genuine when he uses that and settles into his races,’ he said.
“That’ll be that tactic we look to use, just let him stride forward and settle.”
Craven’s night also includes recent Melton winners Helgart and Itzamajorsurprise tackling the Alamora Tarneit Now Selling pace and Crime Writer Allied Express pace.
Meanwhile, Mota Mate and Loveformoney will race for Craven at Geelong tomorrow (Friday).
Mota Mate is resuming from a spell in the Geelong - High Speed Racing pace, while Loveformoney is looking to break its maiden at its second start in the Yabby Dam Farms three year-old trot.