The Mattie Craven-trained Crime Writer has the right form line to figure prominently in the opening race of the Queensland winter carnival at Albion Park this Saturday night.
A former Victoria Derby finalist, the six-year-old finished runner-up behind Sebs Choice in a photo finish before running sixth behind the same horse in last week’s Group 1 Redcliffe Gold Cup.
“I’m very happy with his past couple of runs,” Craven said.
“He ran Sebs Choice to a head and then didn’t have much luck in the straight in the Redcliffe Cup.”
Craven is also hoping to qualify for the Darrel Alexander Trotting Championship Final with Lotamuscle, who was runner-up behind the smart former New Zealand trotter Global Flight in the first heat of the race.
“He has got better with each run, but back to the short (distance) off a 20 metre handicap makes it a bit tough,” he said.
“He just needs to qualify for the final, that’s been the end goal all along.”
Craven concedes last-start winner Lamandier will need a dose of luck from his outside second row draw in the Garrards Horse and Hound Pace.
“He’s a tricky horse who has trouble with his feet, but he seems a lot better in himself since he’s been up here. He’s enjoyed the trip,” he said.
Miracle Mile and Hunter Cup second place-getter Spirit Of St Louis is poised to complete back-to-back wins at Albion Park in the listed Wondais Mate Open.
The Belinda McCarthy-trained five-year-old should be further improved by his narrow win a fortnight ago in the Lucky Creed Open, which was his first start since the Miracle Mile in March.
Spirit Of St Louis has his sights on larger spoils in the coming weeks with his targeted itinerary including the Group 1 $152,500 Sunshine Sprint and Group 1 $355,000 Blacks A Fake.
The main dangers to Spirit Of St Louis on Saturday night appear to be the Jason Grimson-prepared duo Fire Fox and Majestic Cruiser, who will follow a similar pathway during the carnival.