Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Standing-start specialist Carana, the $1.40 favourite in the Cowden Insurance Brokers Handicap at Gloucester Park on Friday night, gave his supporters quite a scare when he scrambled into his gear, veered inwards and bumped into Major Artist at the beginning of the standing-start event.
However, their worries were short-lived when Deni Roberts quickly had the six-year-old down and pacing and bursting into the lead after 25 metres. Carana then bowled along in front and won by two lengths from the $2.90 second fancy Youre So Fine.
“We just ran into each other and got hooked up together,” said Roberts. “Carana is so green; he hasn’t done that much racing for his age, and he is still learning what it’s all about. Towards the end of his races, he looks like he hasn’t much left. But he always gives you more when you ask him.”
The New Zealand-bred Carana has raced only 16 times for eight wins and four placings for earnings of $64,945. His two wins from nine starts in New Zealand were in stands and he has had seven starts in WA (all in stands) for six wins.
Youre So Fine started from 20m and Gary Hall Jnr sent him forward after a lap to race in the breeze. He issued a strong challenge for the lead approaching the home turn, but Carana easily held him at bay. The final quarters were run in 28.6sec. and 27.3sec.