Sport
15 July, 2021
Star mare hunting fourth group one
PINK Galahs will once again chase group one glory for local trainer Matthew Craven this weekend.
PINK Galahs will once again chase group one glory for local trainer Matthew Craven this weekend.
The four year-old mare will contest the $52,000 final of the Darrell Alexander Trotting Championship at Albion Park after winning both heat races en route to the decider.
Craven said he expected his stable star to be one of the favourites for the events on the back of her recent victories.
“She’s been able to win both of her heats but Humble Ladd, the Kiwi for (driver) Luke McCarthy, has won two heats as well,” he said.
“I guess that’s created a bit of unknown because there’s others from the heats we haven’t come up against and we also know she’s not super away from the stand.
“First week she had a little break but recovered and still won and last week she got away safe but was slow and they really ran along and made it pretty tough for her but she just got there.
“She is a winner and I’m really happy with her but it’ll be tough that’s for sure.”
Craven said the stable was well aware Pink Galahs was going to find it tough racing at open class level once she hit four.
He said a stunning three year-old season was always going to see additional expectations placed on the daughter of Skyvalley every time she raced.
But the trainer-driver said he was happy with how she was progressing despite enduring mixed results earlier this year before the trip north.
Group one campaigns in New South Wales and her home state did not quite net the ultimate reward, but her times have shown she was capable of racing strongly at the elite level.
“Until she came up here she hadn’t won a race for six months although she had been racing in open class,” Craven said.
“Her times indicated she was running well, just draws and facing open class horses that were every bit as good as her had made it that little bit tougher.
“We’ve asked a fair bit of her (since her thee year-old campaign) and she’s acquitted herself well without winning.
“She seems to have appreciated the trip north too so whether it’s this week or next week or both, if we can a nice result it will be really good.”
Another strong field will tackle the final, with group two winners Our Overanova, Majestic Simon and More Shades of Gold and group three winner Red Castleton to also face the starters.
Craven expects that quarter to provide stiff opposition along with Humble Ladd, Godofthunder and Gold Chain once the event gets under way.
“She’s not without her dangers, that’s for sure,” he said.
“She’ll need to be on her best behaviour, do everything right and bring her A game this week.
“Next week was her main aim but we thought if she came into this and ran well she would be more than capable (of winning).
“If we get a result, it will be a really good result for her.”
Stablemates Helgart, Crime Writer, Bettor Call Me and Itzamajor Surprise will also race at Albion Park this weekend.