C C Arden bounces back after debut dramas

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

After giving driver Tim Williams "a scare" on debut, C C Arden made amends with a gutsy victory at Addington last night.

The Captaintreacherous two-year-old went straight to the front in the Avon City Mobile Pace (1980m) and then withstood a late challenge from the trailing I'll Be Back to win by a neck.

That was despite what commentator Matt Cross described as him "wobbling up the track" over the final stages. The leading pair were six lengths clear of the rest.

"The steering wheel's been an issue," Williams told Harness Unhinged's Nigel Armstrong after the race, "once we get that sorted you will see the real him - he's a got a good motor."

"We've got trouble with him running out at the moment," says co-trainer Amanda Telfer, "so that's why we went with the gear changes. We put on the Murphy's (blinds) with the rein pole, the whole hog."

As with all the Arden horses, C C Arden (Captaintreacherous - Arden's Choice) was bred by the Stivens at Tapanui in Otago and bought by Stonewall Stud at the 2023 National Yearling Sales for $140,000. Arden's Choice was a seven race winner and C C Arden is her second foal.

C C Arden went out favourite last night after a performance on debut on June 28 that saw him loom up with 200 metres to go, only to go into a big gallop with Irish Dream going on to win by a neck.

"Good to put that scare a fortnight ago behind us and a few gear changes helped," says Williams.

"With him it's all about ringcraft," Telfer added.

Mr Love was another stand-out last night. Starting off a 30 metre handicap the five-year-old was three back the running line midrace before overhauling the pacemaking Master Class to win by a neck.

It was his eighth win in 16 starts for Greg and Nina Hope, who train and own the son of Love You.