A strong connection between horse and trainer will see Brad Angove also take the reins of Courages Law in Saturday night’s Betavet Breeders Crown final for two-year old trotting colts and geldings.
Angove has replaced regular reinsman Ryan Duffy in recent starts and will remain in the sulky for the Group 1 assignment at Melton.
“I’ve had three drives on him this year and he hasn’t galloped on me,” Angove, 40, said.
“I don’t know why that is, whether it’s because I know him a little bit more (and) I’m not so much worried of what he is going to do.
“He’s just one of those horses who’s still very young and he’s pretty big. He is probably nearly 16 hands. For a two-year-old, he’s just a big boy. We are really expecting him to be better next year.
“It will probably be his last start on Saturday night and he will go in the paddock for a good break.”
Courages Law heads into the final after running fifth in last week’s heat at Maryborough where he was beaten more than 30m by Thunda Struck. And while he is one of the outsiders at $126 behind favourite Kyvalley Maven, Angove is pleased with his horse’s barrier two draw.
“He’s drawn well,” Angove said.“It’s been a while since he has been off the front row.
“In the three drives I have driven him he hasn’t galloped, so I’m hoping he will do the same thing tomorrow.
“I think he could (cross the one, Heza Gun). He’s one of them horses, you can’t really make that decision until you come out of the gate for the first three or four meters.
“If he’s trotting really good, he’s probably fast enough off the gate to get to the pegs first and that’s probably the first plan…”
The Muckleford trainer-driver is hoping Courages Law - a horse he also bred and part-owns - comes back a bigger and better version of himself after a good spell, with the key three-year-old features such as the Victoria Trotters Derby on his agenda next season.
TUNE IN at MELTON on Saturday night
First Race: 5.52pm Last Race: 11.05pm
Racecaller: Dan Mielicki,Kirsten Graham, Bronte Nieuwenburg and Ryan Phelan
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
Winner of the Week
BETWEEN TWO THORNS, by Downbytheseaside out of Kiwi Rose, at Gloucester Park on November 17.
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
