Hawkesbury preview: The quiet life with trainer Claire Lever has Casanova delivering

The idyllic surrounds of Hawkesbury have enabled lightly-raced Casanova to show his true ability and he can add a second win to his record when he steps out at his home track.

The importance of an environment where a horse is happy and content can never be underestimated and Casanova is a great example of that.

The lightly-raced gelding started his career with Randwick trainer Craig Carmody and finished down the track in his first two starts but a move to the much quieter Hawkesbury stables of Claire Lever has done the trick.

The four-year-old has had three starts for his new trainer registering a country maiden win in between placings at the provincials and is improving with every run.

“Craig had done all the hard work getting him going, trialling him, taking him to the races and giving him all the education so it was just a matter of finding the key to getting him to settle down at home and eat,” Lever said.

“He wasn’t doing that well in Randwick because it was so busy. He’s a bit of a nervous horse and wasn’t eating that well.

“I was lucky Craig suggested to his owners to send him out to me here at Hawkesbury where it’s a lot quieter and he has done really well.

“He has also matured more in that time as well because he was always going a late maturer who would get over a bit of ground.”

Casanova (left) was just pipped at Newcastle last start and is out to go one better at Hawkesbury. Picture: Bradley Photos

The son of Stratum Star was a handy third to Royale Veloute first-up at Hawkesbury before heading to Gundagai where he broke his maiden over 1400m.

He then stepped up to a Class 1 over the mile at Newcastle where he led and was a gallant short-half-head second behind the more seasoned Dubai Flyer on August 24.

The gelding steps up to 1800m on his home track in the Class 1 and Maiden Plate.

“He looked beat five times when they turned for home but he kept fighting and only missed the bob on the line,” Lever said.

“Braith rated him very well in front and it was a shame they didn’t get the bob go their way.

“The step up to 1800m this week looks ideal and if he’s out in front, he will give us a pretty good sight.

“Braith rides him again and his three kilo claim brings him down to 56kg. Hopefully they can go one better this week.”

Lever’s other runner for the day, Ningaloo Reef, lines up in the Provincial Maiden Plate (1000m).

While she knows the gelding has the ability to win, she feels his mental immaturity and a lack of race experience are his biggest hurdles.

“He’s a really nice horse but just does a few things wrong.

“He has shown us heaps of ability at home but he can be a bit tardy away and hang a little bit here and there.

“He’s a bit frustrating because he’s a quiet horse but when he gets out there, he has a few tricks up his sleeve.

“I think he will develop into a very nice horse, just whether it’s this preparation or in another six months.”

The son of Rubick was third behind Joey D’Or on debut at Orange in April before a fourth to Lizzie’s Gem at Wyong the following month.

“His two runs were better than they look. He was a bit tardy away and was chasing at his top a fair way from home. He wasn’t making any ground but he wasn’t losing any either,” she said.

“He will appreciate getting on to a good track this weekend.

“He has the ability to win but I’m not going there confident because he still has some learning to do.”

Originally published as Hawkesbury preview: The quiet life with trainer Claire Lever has Casanova delivering