The sun shone brightly, the community turned out in force and veteran pacer Crime Writer posted one of the toughest performances of his career to snatch the Gregg’s Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup on Sunday.
In front of a big crowd enjoying the festive Mothers’ Day atmosphere, trainer-driver Matthew Craven guided the 10-year-old to back-to-back victories in the northwest Victorian feature after enduring a tough run throughout.
The gelding was three-wide early around the 800-metre circuit from his awkward wide front-row draw, eventually settling in the death seat outside tearaway leader Dallas Miki, who carved out a strong tempo throughout the 2423-metre journey.
As the field closed in down the back straight for the final time, it looked as though the task might prove too much for the old warrior, but Crime Writer refused to yield. He dug deep in the home straight to wear down Dallas Miki before bravely holding off the late surges of My Ultimate Jimmy NZ and Dhaulagiri NZ, who dead-heated for second, with a half-neck margin.
The victory was the 20th of Crime Writer’s career and added another chapter to a remarkable country cups campaign for the evergreen gelding, who has already captured the Wedderburn and Gunbower Cups this season.
Visibly puffing after the race, Craven admitted the run took plenty out of both horse and driver.
“The death seat is probably the last place that you wanted to be the way the race was run, but I just had to sit and wait until the runs came from back in the field,” Craven said.
“Around the circle they kind of got to him, but they didn’t get past him and I knew that when it turned into a slog that was probably in our favour. It was hard work that last lap for sure – but he gave everything,” he said.
Craven gave credit to his partner Amy Day and stable staff including Hannah Parish and Stevie Blacker.
“He’s a stable favourite and he just loves attention – every bit of extra attention Hannah and Amy give him. They spend a lot of time massaging him and getting him out of his box, just to make him feel pretty special.
“He rewards you, in these sort of races.”
Craven also delivered an emotional tribute to Crime Writer’s owner Pam Coniglio and her late husband Tony, a respected figure in both business and harness racing circles who passed away last year.
“Thank you to Pam for the support of our stable. I know this win will mean a lot, especially this horse and how much he means to you and meant to Tony. So thank you very much.”
Craven’s Ouyen success came at the end of a gruelling weekend on the road for the Terang horseman.
After travelling to Melton on Saturday night, where he landed a winning double with Love Ya Brother (Love You) and All Blazing Guns (Sweet Lou), Craven then made the long trek north to Ouyen for Sunday’s cup meeting – a marathon weekend of well over 1000 kilometres on the road!
Sunday’s Cup presentation also carried plenty of emotion for the Gregg family, with Barry and Donna Gregg marking their final year sponsoring the Ouyen Cup as they step into semi-retirement.
Joined by his father Ron, who founded Gregg’s Electrical alongside his late wife Marg more than 15 years ago, Barry reflected on the family’s long connection with the club.
“We have been proud sponsors for a long time and I’ve got my dad here today which is great,” Gregg said.
“Because it’s all about the community and community means everything to our family.”
Ouyen Harness Racing Club president Daniel Floyd said the day had exceeded expectations both on and off the track.
“The weather was absolutely brilliant and it made for a really good day,” Floyd said.
“We had a big crowd, people enjoyed the racing and all the on-track activities, the Mother’s Day stalls went really well and there was a lot of support for the Pacing for Pink raffle.”
HRV chairman Bernard Saundry was in attendance and congratulated the club on a great day of racing.
