‘Capalaba Factor’ more significant than feature victory for Crawford

By Pat McLeod

In-form trainer Jeff Crawford can see far more significance than just another addition to his bulging trophy cabinet when the Capalaba Young Guns Final is decided on Sunday.

The Buccan trainer has been on an impressive run through 2025 at club and feature level, highlighted by a freakish tally last week of eight wins and two seconds from 11 starters.

Miles On It and Ringbark Larry saluted in the two heats of the Capalaba Young Guns, winning through to this Sunday’s finale.

Crawford hasn’t won this feature previously as a trainer and is rapt to be in the decider, but for him, even more important than victory is ‘the Capalaba factor’.

“I am rapt that both of my dogs won their heats and are through to what is a really good field for the Final,” Crawford said.

“But, what is crucial for me is the lift that Capalaba can give race dogs. Racing at Capalaba is as much a mental stimulant as it is a physical one. It is a crucial part of so many trainers’ preparation of a dog.

“It has been the case for me for years and I have had incredible success at Capalaba. It has been a great steppingstone for dogs racing at other tracks.

“Either on race day or trial day, Capalaba provides a completely different atmosphere. I love the Q Straight and have had good success there, but it is the same car park, same process, same kennelling facilities.

“Capalaba is a change of scenery and provides a vital stimulation for dogs.”

Crawford is especially keen to see Miles On It, the fastest of his two qualifiers, ‘take the next step’.

“Miles On It ran 19.54 seconds at his first look (in a race) at the track last Sunday and I believe we can get another tenth or two out of him here, depending on track conditions and the wind,” he said.

“I believe he has that improvement in him.

“He did hold a record up the Q Straight for a while, so he is quite adept at running quick in a straight line. I have always rated him as being as good as (littermates and kennelmates) Star Turn and Validate, but he just hasn't shown that yet.

“I think eventually when we get him back to the circle we will see a really nice dog.”

Crawford said the wider draw for his dogs in the Final was to his liking.

“Miles On It will come out of the seven on Sunday and Ringbark Larry is in the six,” Crawford confirmed.

“I am happy with that. Miles On It is suited to a wide draw. Hara’s Pest (box eight) appears to want to be wide and so is unlikely to crash.

“Larry probably wants to get to the middle, so I don't think my two are going to find each other early on.

“Miles On It also has more of an upside. He sat down in the boxes in the heat just before the lids opened and missed the start. He will improve quite a lot on that. He is the dog on the improve out of my pair.

“I was stoked with the runs from both dogs. They have been good up the straight on The Q and seem to have a liking for straight track racing.

“That is the reason I chose those two out of a number of dogs that were eligible for this race from my kennel."

The trainer said it is a cracking race with some really good dogs in the event.

“Secret Story (trained by Tom Tzouvelis and jumping from box five) is undoubtedly the one to beat. He has the times and the form on the board," Crawford said. 

“He just missed it the other day and cost himself any chance of victory with a tardy start.”

Crawford’s focus won’t divert far from Capalaba after Sunday’s Young Guns feature, with the Group 2 Capalaba Cup early next month.

The heats are on Sunday, October 5 before the Final on Sunday, October 12.

“As far as the Cup goes, Blue Blend will be my main competitor,” he said.

“He was scratched from a race last week after he pulled up with a bit of a groin injury after racing on the Q Straight, but was cleared to resume work this week. He goes up the straight decidedly quicker than the rest of the dogs in my kennel.

“Both of these dogs (Miles On It and Ringbark Larry) definitely will be part of my team for the Capalaba Cup, with also Validate, Star Turn and maybe one or two others.”