Hoppy and Le Cardinal complete stable double

The Matthew Craven stable notched up a winning double early on Saturday night when both Hoppy and Le Cardinal scored in their respective races.

Hoppy made it two from two in successive weeks at Melton when he took out the Aldebaran Park Trot after sitting parked for the last 1600 metres of the race.

“He relaxed nicely outside the leader,” Craven said.

“I asked him to go for home, hoping to put a gap on those ones that I knew were going to be held up, and luckily we were able to make enough space.

“One came at him late, but he was happy to go and race, so I was pleased with his effort.”

Craven hinted that the winner may progress to Inter Dominion level in 12 months.

“I think he’s got the quality to be in a series like that, I don’t know about being one of the big players but driven the right way he could be competitive,” Craven said.

Le Cardinal landed in the one out one back trail and when Amy Day eased out on the home turn the son of

Captaintreacherous produced a withering turn of foot to score from Royal Appointment in a mile rate of 1:52.3.

“He’s only had about nine or 10 starts and still feels like a baby, he’s still got a lot to learn but his speed is going to take him a long way,” Day said.