Now, I’ll open this right up by saying, I don’t know the answer.
But gee, I’d bet it is.
Ok, the question. At Moonee valley on Friday night, if CRAFTY CRUISER wins, will it be the first time in horse racing history that a racehorse has won a race (let alone a city race) at his 158th race start?
The reliable, gutsy 12YO who just loves racing still, steps out for his 158th race start. Think about that. He has raced 157 times when most racehorses don’t even get to race 57 times.
Crafty Cruiser (Good Journey-Sly One) has won 13 races and placed another 41 times. He has earned $1,016,651 in stakes money. What an ornament to the game and I truly think he can win at The Valley on Friday night.
He’s already won there twice and placed 10 other times!
His trainer, Bryce Stanaway, puts the bridle on the old boy every morning at his Torquay establishment in Victoria.
Last start at Mornington, Crafty Cruiser sat back in 8th spot to the bend over 2400m, and made impressive ground late to get beaten just on 2 lengths in slightly weaker grade.
But he will like the fact he steps up to 3800m here. He has never won past 3100m but I think if they drive him from the gates and he finds the lead early, he can outstay this bunch of BM 78 types.
In his youth he was a stakes winner. Last year he ran a courageous 2nd in the $300,000 Jericho Cup over 4600m with 64kg.
One of the great endearing things about this old marvel is that he started racing in September of 2010, just one month after turning 3 years of age.
It took him 5 race starts to win a race and he hasn’t looked back.
But please, someone find out if a horse has ever won a city race, or a TAB race….or any race actually at his 158th start?
It’s gotta be a global milestone…surely.
