Sport
15 October, 2020
Emotions flow after group one win
MATTHEW Craven admits emotions got the better of him after his star filly Pink Galahs recorded her first group one victory on Saturday night.
MATTHEW Craven admits emotions got the better of him after his star filly Pink Galahs recorded her first group one victory on Saturday night.
The three year-old took on open age class in the Bill Collins Sprint but overpowered her rivals in the final stages to win the $50,000 feature at Melton.
Craven, who also had the victorious drive, was overcome with emotion following the race as what transpired took time to sink in.
“It was pretty emotional for myself, I was pretty hopeless after the race as far as emotions went and I couldn’t put two words together,” he said.
“We couldn’t really believe it and we still can’t believe that she was able to beat basically the best trotters in Australia as a little three year-old filly stepping up in open grade.
“It was just a throw at the stumps – we knew she was good enough but you just don’t expect to be beating them.
“To beat them like she did was a pretty special effort and a massive thrill. It’s a feeling I still can’t describe. I was just so happy and excited and so proud of our little filly.”
The trainer-driver said the win extended to the horse’s connections, Caleb and Laura Lewis and Bryan Healey.
The trio bred the filly and has duly received its reward, with Pink Galahs taking her prizemoney to $105,570 with 10 wins from 16 starts.
“Caleb’s been one of my best mates and we’ve grown up through the horses for nearly 15 to 20 years now,” Craven said.
“He’s been there for us through the good times and the bad, he’s always been a huge support.
“To win it for him and Laura and Bryan was really special.”
The victory was Craven’s third at group one level, but one of his most special given the current time.
When COVID hit, he and his partner Sofia Arvidsson contemplated whether to change their operation in light of the times.
However, they vowed to push on with a clear goal, which they achieved on Saturday night.
“Coming through the COVID period, myself and Sofia set a goal to get in a group one and see if we could win one,” Craven said.
“To achieve it was very special for us. You hope you can have horses in these races in the future but to come out of this period and get a result like this just makes the time and effort so special.
“It’s unbelievable. We’re so proud of this little horse, everyone looks at her and just shakes her head. She’s nothing to the eye but she’s just got a big heart and a great attitude.”
Craven paid tribute to Arvidsson, his stable staff, parents, siblings, extended family and owners for their support of his stable.
He said many of those put in time and effort to make lunches, prepare tracks, offer advice and more, which ensured his stable was competitive.
“We have so many people who support our stable – people who call in, people who help, people who give us advice – there’s way too many to name but these sort of wins are as much for those people as it for us,” Craven said.
“That’s what I think makes it so special.”
Pink Galahs will now progress onto this weekend’s $60,000 Victoria Trotters Oaks at the same venue.
Stablemates Aldebaran Tess and Queen of Crime will also contest the event but the 37 year-old is confident the sole group one winner has what it takes to add another victory.
“It definitely won’t be easy even though you come back to racing age horses but you probably think she should be winning,” Craven said.
“One of the reasons why we had a crack at the race last week was because we know how hard these races are.
“You don’t get many chances to win group one races, but this crop of fillies is one we’ve assessed as pretty special.
“It definitely won’t be easy but on what she’s done, she’s as good a chance as any in the race.”