Forgotten trotter lights up night

By Tim O’Connor (HRV)

Keayang Ignite was a star on the rise through the back end of 2019 when he claimed Group 1 glory during an unbeaten four-run stretch to kick-start his career.

A thumping win in the elite-level Home Grown Classic was the exclamation mark on that campaign, but almost four years and a global pandemic would pass before trainer Paddy Lee’s trotter would be seen at the races again.

A slashing first-up third to High Energy on September 8 showed his top-end ability was still there and the now six-year-old was driven like the best horse in the Irvin Howard Memorial Trot at Tabcorp Park Melton last Saturday night.

Glen Craven let Keayang Ignite balance up from outside the front row, but quickly pushed the button and sent his charge to the head of affairs. From there he dictated terms, powering home in closing quarters of 27.8 and 28.8 to hold off a gallant Aldebaran Keepa by just over 3m on the line.

It was a special victory for Craven, but one he refused to take any credit for.

“I got to do the easy part at the finish,” he said.

“He should be undefeated. I under-drove him last week, but hopefully that’ll hold him in good stead.

“It’s just rewards for the patience that (Lee and his team) have shown in him and the amount of effort they’ve put into him.

“I can’t claim anything.”

Keayang Ignite has now won five of six career starts for prizemoney earnings up over $50,000.