Kim Craft came to Queensland in unfortunate circumstances around four years ago but will head back interstate if Lucky Dubai wins at Eagle Farm.
Craft has pencilled in the Group Three Hawkesbury Cup (1600m) on November 3 for Lucky Dubai if the five-year-old mare performs up to expectations in Saturday’s Sita Australia Quality (1400m).
But Craft’s decision to head back across the border won’t be permanent as she loves training at her Caloundra base.
She was originally based at Wyong but was forced to seek new stables when a flood hit the NSW Central Coast town.
“We got flooded out at Wyong when the big flood came a few years ago and then we were stranded here at Caloundra during EI (equine influenza) and had to stay for a while,” she said.
“We liked it so much we decided to stay permanently.”
Craft is the daughter of former Wyong trainer Colin Harwood who won the Hawkesbury Cup with Thrifty Reserve and Magic Road.
Thrifty Reserve won 18 times, including the Group Three Gosford Cup in 1994, in an 82-start career while Magic Road’s best victories were in the Group Three Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle and Hawkesbury Cup in 1996.
Thrifty Reserve ran in three successive Hawkesbury Cups, winning in 1993 after being placed the two previous years.
Harwood died on July 27 this year which prompted Craft to dedicate Lucky Dubai’s last-start victory at Eagle Farm to her late father.
“I got my trainer’s licence when I was 18 and I’ve been training a long time since,” Craft said.
“Dad won the Hawkesbury Cup with Thrifty Reserve and Magic Road but I strapped them both and had a lot to do with them as Dad was paralysed down his left side following a stroke.”
Lucky Dubai, who was the prize in a raffle won by owner Greg Needham, broke a long run of outs for Craft in her narrow victory over Femina Fashion on a heavy track over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm on October 8.
The daughter of Dubai Destination’s win was Craft’s first victory since her recently-retired Toptwo was successful in a restricted midweek race at Doomben on January 5.
“I’m a bit worried 1400 metres might be a touch short for her,” Craft said.
“But I’ve tried to keep her as fresh as possible.
“She’ll be getting to the line strongly and the others will know she’s in the race.”
Craft has no plans to extend Lucky Dubai’s NSW campaign past the Hawkesbury Cup and will bring her straight home for the Listed Recognition Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on December 3.
AAP TURF
