Pakenham trainer Paul Kramer and Cranbourne based jockey Clayton Douglas have formed quite a partnership in recent times. Douglas has had three rides for three wins for Kramer including Sunday’s victory aboard Cavallo Reigns. 75292
PAKENHAM trainer Paul Kramer was effusive in his praise of 16-year-old jockey Clayton Douglas on Sunday after the youngster steered Cavallo Reigns to victory in the Harcourts-Ron and Sheila Blackwood Handicap (1750m).
Kramer was deep in conversation with the Cranbourne-based hoop prior to the race and gave clear instructions to stick to the inside in the small five horse field.
Things didn’t quite go to plan when the field stacked up exiting the back straight so Douglas had to think quickly.
“That was an excellent ride, he really had to use his brains a little bit,” Kramer said.
“Instructions were to go up the inside but they jammed up, he had horses coming back in his lap but he didn’t panic, he got the horse out wide and gave him galloping room. It was the perfect ride given the circumstances.”
Kramer’s a full-time landscape gardener and most of his work involves beautifying new freeways.
He has trained at Pakenham on and off for 10 years and classes himself a “hobby trainer”.
He was confident his five-year-old gelding was primed to win his second race at his 14th attempt.
“He came down two classes to win that race today, I was pretty confident he was going to win but you just never know,” Kramer said.
“There’s nothing better than winning at your home track, it’s the perfect way to start the year off.”
Cavallo Reigns’ victory was the latest in a three-run unbeaten streak for the Kramer and Douglas combination who kicked off their partnership with a win at Mansfield early last year.
