Sport
31 January, 2026
Hannah drives an 'awesome' Crime spree
YOUNG reinswoman Hannah Lewis has guided Crime Writer to his third cup win in a year.
Lewis was in the sulky when the Matthew Craven-trained horse led all the way to claim Sunday’s Wedderburn Pacing Cup.
“He just kept running, he’s awesome, he always does everything right,” Lewis said after the feature event over 2550 metres.
The 10-year-old led throughout to score by four metres from Madigan, with Curyo Gentleman a metre-and-a-half away third.
Crime Writer took his record to to 19 wins and 25 placings from 147 starts for earnings of $296,304.
Six weeks earlier. Lewis had driven Crime Writer to victory in the 2630-metre Gunbower Cup. Crime had followed up with third place in a strong 16-horse field at Leeton and sixth of 16 at Hamilton a fortnight ago.
Crime Writer is bred and raced by Pam Coniglio and late husband Tony. Trained at Ecklin South by Craven and driven by Lewis who won last year’s Mildura Pacing Cup on him, Crime Writer began best from the pole to lead with Echuca Cup victor Madigan (outside the front line) outside him, Curyo Gentleman (gate two) one/one and the outsider Pas Guarantee following the leader from inside the second line.
The favourite Pesci (extreme draw) had been eased to the tail of the field.
Looking vulnerable on turning with Madigan issuing a strong challenge, Crime Writer rallied in the straight to score by 3.9 metres from Madigan. with Curyo Gentleman angling three wide to challenge only to go off stride, but probably wasn’t going to pick up the winner finishing 1.5 metres back third.
Dhaulagiri ran on late out wide for third 5.1 metres away. The mile rate 2-00.7.
Bolinda trainer Brent Lilley and stable reinsman Tristan Larsen who has been on fire of late snared another provincial Trotters Cup with 8Y0 Simon Roydon-Johns Anne gelding Johns Boy successful in on Sunday in the local cup sponsored by the Wedderburn Hotel.
After a false start, beginning fast 20 metres, Johns Boy avoided a couple of gallopers Romantic Nina and A Cool Investment shortly after the start to cross the poleline leader Im Above The Law and rated a treat, held too many guns for the hot favourite Meadow Valley Star (20m) which raced uncovered looking uncomfortable on the tight track.
Im Above The Law using the sprint lane held third a half head away. The mile rate 2-07.1 (last half 61.3).
The un-hobbled five-year-old pacer Into The Harkness took her win tally to seven when she won the Kirk Memorial at Wedderburn for her connections and the McNaulty stable. Driven by James Herbertson the mare made good use of her early speed to lead from barrier three and then set a solid pace for the remainder of the 2150-metre trip to win comfortably by 13 metres from the Zac Steenhuis trained, Ryan Sanderson driven Lombok. ourse veterinarian Greg Hargreaves, a veteran of the local track and on duty across Victoria at harness racing meetings for more than 30 years, monitored conditions throughout the eight-race card with readings well within limits for heart and other factors.
Several horses were withdrawn from the final races as owners and trainers opted to take up the Harness Racing Victoria non-penalty scratching when the temperature hits 38 degress.
Among the crowd at Donaldson Park on Sunday was new chairman Bernard Saundry. He spent the afternoon talking with Wedderburn club officials and harness racing enthusiasts.
Club president Bruce Hargreaves thanked members and volunteers for support in staging the club’s only meeting of the year.