Co-trainer Natalie Young declares Craig a spring prospect in the making after his dominant Flemington victory

While he was a tragedy beaten last start, jocket Luke Currie took bad luck out of the equation to guide Craig to victory at Flemington on Saturday.

Craig atones for his luckless last start defeat to win the Rod Johnson Handicap at Flemington on Saturday Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Craig would not be denied on Saturday at Flemington, surging past Rise At Dawn in the Rod Johnson Handicap (1620m).

Rise At Dawn defeated a luckless Craig at the track a fortnight ago by the barest of margins.

The Lindsay Park galloper again raced well on Saturday but was no match for Craig late.

Red Galaxy tracked Craig in the run and finished third.

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Craig was a firm $1.55 TAB favourite and justified the quote with a comfortable win.

He landed in a great spot behind the speed, one off the rail, and blended into the race at the top of the straight under jockey Luke Currie.

“Rise At Dawn got the bunny on us last start and we did a bit of work to catch it, we nearly did,” Young said.

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“Today we wanted to be there to pounce when we needed to, especially being a $1.40 favourite.

“I thought it was a great effort from the horse … theoretically he could’ve been three from three, he’s a nice horse with a lot of upside.”

Craig won brilliantly at Bendigo in his first Australian start last month.

Young has spring ambitions for the three-year-old, set to target the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 6 next start.

“He needs to win his next couple so we can get him up in the rating so we can get him into those better races,” Young said.

Another favourite gets the win. Craig getting it done in the Rod Johnson Handicap.

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— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) June 22, 2024

“His rating is 67 at the moment, he’ll probably get five points, it’s a matter of getting his rating up to get into those races… mile I think he’ll even get 2000m, there’s plenty of nice country cups.”

Craig is effectively six months behind the Australian opposition as a northern hemisphere-bred three-year-old but a strong physique and relaxed demeanour has helped the “podgy” son of Territories more than measure up.

“He’s just a really cruisy horse, he’s one of those horses that goes out on the track and gallops and never sets the world on fire,” Young said.

“You look at him and you always think he’s a little bit fat because of that, even looking at him in the yard today I thought he looks good but he looks podgy, hopefully we haven’t missed a gallop.

“He’s got an amazing hindquarter, physically he’s strong and looks like a four-year-old now, he’s got that good physical aspect and he’s got that really good turn of foot which you need to win any good races, especially if you’re heading into a spring campaign.”

Currie endorsed Craig’s potential now and into the future.

“I haven’t ridden 54kg for a while, with this cold weather, but I made the effort for him today and I think he’s a really nice horse going forward,” Currie said.

Originally published as Co-trainer Natalie Young declares Craig a spring prospect in the making after his dominant Flemington victory