Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Smart, lightly-raced New Zealand-bred pacer Carana is renowned as a standing-start specialist who notched a notable milestone at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he recorded his first victory in a mobile event.
A hectic early speed battle with a fast lead time of 36.4sec. and a sizzling 27.7sec. second 400m section of 27.7sec. played into the hands of Carana, a $6.90 chance.
Deni Roberts was content to let Carana relax in last position in the field of seven while Hampton Banner began with his usual alacrity but was unable to cross the polemarker and $1.90 favourite Otis, and then again after a lap when Gary Hall Jnr sent the $3.20 second fancy Miki Jet forward to apply plenty of pressure on Otis.
Arma Xfactor, who had raced in fifth place, surged forward in the final lap and took a narrow lead about 120m from the post.
The Greg and Skye Bond-trained seven-year-old Carana was still last at the 400m before Roberts switched him out four wide and the gelding finished with a powerful burst to take the lead with 100m to travel before winning by 2m from Arma Xfactor, with Otis and Miki Jet close up behind the first two placegetters.
Carana, who rated a smart 1.55.3, went into the race with a record of 33 starts for 14 wins all in stands, two in New Zealand and 12 in WA. This was only his fifth appearance in a mobile event.
“The quicker they go, the better it is for him,” said Roberts. “He’s got a really good turn of foot, and he can produce it off a hot speed.”
Carana has now earned $173,469 from 15 wins and ten placings from 34 starts, and he is poised to make his presence felt in open-class mobile events.