By Jordyn Bublitz
In-form trotter Crazy heads to Cambridge Raceway tonight with momentum on his side, chasing a winning hat-trick in the Drax Project At Night Of Champions Mobile Trot.
The nine-year-old son of Crazed has turned a corner in recent starts, putting together back-to-back victories for local trainer Tim Hall, who also owns the gelding.
“He was in a good rating for his win at Auckland, I was more confident that he’d win there than at Cambridge the start before.”
The recent results have been particularly satisfying for Hall.
“It’s been a team effort to get him here. He’s not just your average horse, and he isn’t a one-man band. Dad’s there, and none of this would be happening without him helping me out.”
Hall’s loved-ones were there to share in Crazy’s latest success at Alexandra Park.
“It was very cool to have little Sofie-Ela there on Friday night, she got to be in the photo. My partner Nicole was on course too. It was very special. It meant a lot to me.”
Understanding the horse has been key, with Hall noting that less has been more when it comes to managing him.
“We’ve got the right system going with him now, don’t do too much and don’t annoy him!”
Tonight presents a different challenge, but the wide draw of eight isn’t a major concern given the gelding’s racing style.
“His barrier draw doesn’t worry me, we can’t rush him early anyway. He’s got a high turn of foot so long as he gets a drag into it.”
While realistic about the strength of the field, Hall believes the horse is well placed if things fall into line.
“We’ll need things to go our way a wee bit, on paper it’s a competitive field for him to be racing.”
“He’s well and he’s healthy, I actually think this will be him at his best. The last time he went three weeks in a row he was his sharpest for the last run.”
A third straight win would be a fitting reward, not just for connections, but for a horse Hall feels hasn’t always been judged fairly.
“I’d get more satisfaction for the horse. Along the way a lot of people have focused on what he can’t do rather than what he can do. It would be satisfying for him to get a bit of credit.”
