News Article

Cranbre aims to keep unbeaten record intact

02 / 11 / 2014 Article by: TR Internal
Cranbre winning on debut in Launceston icon Click to enlarge

CRANBRE might have started his racing career late in life but the Julie Johnson-trained eight-year-old has a top chance of extending his unbeaten record to three wins when he steps out in the Nichols Sound & Communication Stakes for C2-C3 pacers at the TOTE Racing Centre in Launceston tonight.

Cranbre had been prepared by two other trainers and suffered injuries that prevented him from racing as a young horse but since landing in Johnson’s care the gelding has thrived and produced the goods at the races.

His début win in Launceston October 05 was full of merit leading throughout to win comfortably but his only other outing produced an even more impressive victory, coming from midfield in the one-out line to get up in the last few strides against decent opposition at the same venue two weeks later (Oct 19).

Tonight he has drawn favourably in gate four on the front row with his main danger Karalta Dazzler directly on his outside (5).

Karalta Dazzler has good early speed and is likely to cross to the front so Cranbre’s driver Todd Rattray will have to make a decision early on whether to go forward and face the breeze or slide back through the field and try and find a handy position in the one-out line.

If there was to be a surprise result it could come from Jodila that starts from outside of the second row (10).

Jodila had two months away from racing but returned with an eye-catching fifth of 11 in a C2 in Hobart last Sunday night in the race won by Play Apple Tree but she was only beaten just over five metres.

For all of Jamie Cockshutt’s tips and form comments on the entire Launceston meeting go to Punters Corner.