By Duane Ranger
Put it down to the ‘A-team’ says well-known Gold Coast harness racing owner, Mitch Cox.
He said the new training and ownership combo had managed to turn a 48-race maiden into a quality pacer, who had now won his last three starts in a row.
That pacer is 7-year-old Mister Big gelding, Crime Boss.
The ‘A-team’ comprises Taleah McMullen, her partner and former Kiwi and quality horseman, Trent Lethaby, and himself.
“It’s tongue in cheek of course, because Taleah and Trent do all the work, but this purchase has worked out real well. He started racing for us at Redcliffe on March 10.
“Crime Boss finished second that day, but has won his last three starts on the track since. That’s a great training effort. That’s how the ‘A-team’ evolved,” Cox said.
But both McMullen and Lethaby said they hadn’t done much to the horse.
“I’ve put blocks on him (outside of the eyes) and that’s about it really. I think he might just be liking the new surroundings.
He’s drawn the second row on Wednesday and is going well enough to win again,” McMullen said.
Regular driver, McMullen, who owns Crime Boss with Cox, was quick to praise previous trainer, Trent Hodges.
“These wins just didn’t come out of the blue. He ran second twice at Redcliffe before he came to us. Trent and Noel Parrish did a good job with him.”
Lethaby said Crime Boss had “found his grade” and for that reason could continue his winning way.
“He’s no superstar, but he’s racing and feeling well, and I think the winning experience has made him a better racehorse,” Lethaby said.
Cox said he was really enjoying that winning feeling.
“I think he’s good enough to go four-straight. He just keeps improving with each run and that has been pleasantly surprising.
“It’s the same grade as last week so I think he should feature again. I’m quite confident and hoping ‘The A-team’ can do it again,” the former Rivermount College student said.
Crime Boss made his debut at Cobram on November 13, 2017 and has now had 51 starts for three wins, 12 placings and $24,675 in stakes.
His quickest winning mile rate of 1:58.6 was recorded at Redcliffe on March 18. He then stopped the clock at 2:01.1 and 2:03.1 on March 25 and April 1.
His first two victories were over the 1,780m mobile and last Thursday he scored over the 2,040m. He’s back to the sprint journey on Wednesday.
On March 18 Crime Boss drew one and won by 5.9m, and then a week later he drew seven and scored by 3.7m. Last Thursday he drew six and obliged by 8.7m.
Crime Boss has drawn nine (of nine) in the fifth event (7.53pm) at Redcliffe Paceway on Wednesday night.
“I hope the ‘A-Team’ has more success in the future and the winning edge continues,” Cox said.
