Sport
18 November, 2021
Locals chasing Breeders Crown riches
FOUR local harness racing trainers are finalising preparations for group one assignments this Saturday night.
FOUR local harness racing trainers are finalising preparations for group one assignments this Saturday night.
Paddy Lee, Marg Lee, Matthew Craven and Codi Rauchenberger will head to Melton to contest the finals of the Breeders Crown series.
The night is one of the most prestigious on the Victorian harness racing calendar, with eight of the events to hold group one status.
Two group twos worth $50,000 each for four year-old colts and geldings and four year-old mares will also be staged.
The night’s total prizemoney equates to almost $1.5 million, with two of the events worth $300,000 each.
Eight local horses will contest the finals from four stables.
Paddy Lee’s contingent includes Keayang Ninja (three year-old trotting colts and geldings), Keayang Chucky (two year-old trotting colts and geldings) and Keayang Xena (three year-old trotting fillies final).
Paddy said it was exciting for his stable to have three runners on Breeders Crown night.
“Nights like these are rewarding for our owners and everyone at home,” he said.
“It isn’t just rewarding for me but for everyone who has put in the hard work.
“They’re obviously racing against the best so they’re not in there without a chance but I’d be happy if all three could run top fives.
“If we walked away from Melton and ran top fives I’d be over the moon.”
Paddy said Keayang Ninja loomed as his best hope, but Keayang Chucky and Keayang Xena could also produce strong runs.
“Ninja has come up with a suitable barrier draw which gives him the opportunity to push forward and find a forward position and if he did that early I’d find him as our best winning chance,” he said.
“Chucky I’d be happy for him to find a forward position and if he was to run top five I’d be pretty happy with that.
“Xena is going to need a lot of luck on the pegs but we’re hoping that if she travels well some gaps will open up for her.”
Craven has Heza Son Of Agun (two year old pacing colts and geldings final), Hautacam (two year-old trotting colts and geldings final) and Bettor Call Me (three year-old pacing colts and geldings) set to race.
The Ecklin-based trainer said the Breeders Crown series was among the pinnacle of juvenile racing.
“It’s worth the most money, the owners pay up for this series when their horses are foals,” he said.
“You’re training horses for these races and want them to be in there and you’re buying them at sales to be competitive in these races.
“To have three in is nice but we’re just hoping we can be a factor with three horses but they all have to go there and do it.”
Craven said the trio’s chances were varied but all deserved their spots.
“Little Hautacam needs to a lot of improvement out of his last run to be a factor but he’s a nice little horse and I’m hoping he runs well because he’s drawn nicely,” he said.
“Heza Son Of Agun’s run in the heats was good as was his semi-final. I’m hoping he’s going to be peaking for the final and he’ll need a few things to go in his favour to win but it’s not beyond him.
“Bettor Call Me it was nice to draw the front line and if he can find a forward spot, he’ll be pretty honest.”
Marg Lee is entered with Aldebaran Vera (two year-old trotting fillies), while Jilliby Sylvester is entered in the $50,000 for year-old entires and geldings final.
“It’s one of the biggest races on the calendar and is a pretty exciting series so we’re just happy to be a part of it,” she said.
“It’s a huge night and it’s pretty exciting to be in and amongst it.”
Marg Lee said the two year-old filly was still learning the craft of racing but had been improving with each run.
“She’s been going really good. She’s still only a baby and is still learning but the main aim is to get her to trot,” she said.
“You don’t know what will happen in the trotting races but she’s a chance if she trots.
“We leased her from Boko stables in Holland. Duncan McPherson sold the filly but we leased her and she’s pretty well bred.
“She can shy a little bit which is the only problem with her and when she hits the front she can gallop, even in trials. We’ve been running her from behind and gradually working her up to the lead and we’ve added some gear which has made a difference to her races.”
Rauchenberger has Honey Bourbon in the three year-old trotting fillies final.
It will be the 22 year-old’s first group one event as both a trainer and driver, a feat which has come quicker than expected.
“I’m pretty nervous and excited but you’re always hoping for it,” Rauchenberger said.
“If it wasn’t for all the help of Paddy and Marg and Jason (Lee) and the boys and Craven family, if it wasn’t for all of them I probably wouldn’t have the horse.
“It’s only my first full season of having my training licence – I didn’t have it for all that long last season either.
“It’s pretty amazing to have a horse in one (a group one) already.”
Rauchenberger said she expected Honey Bourbon to find the event tough going despite drawing the inside barrier.
“She’s outclassed but she has really good manners which helps with the trotters,” she said.
“If she finished in the top five I’d be absolutely rapt but she is racing against a strong group of fillies.”