Not so popular win!

IT’S not often winning a race can have you somewhat in the bad books.

But that was the case for Matthew Craven at Tabcorp Park Melton last night.

Craven was triumphant with Pink Galahs, which scored by a head from her stablemate Gus An Maori.

That’s where the problem lies as the runner-up was driven by Craven’s partner Sofia Arvidsson.

“Sofia wasn’t too happy I beat her,” Craven said. “I actually thought she got up on the line but I managed to hold her out.

“Pink Galahs is in great form and Gus An Maori went very well…I’m happy with both of them.”

Caught wide early from barrier six, Pink Galahs was eased forward to settle outside Gus An Maori which led from gate four.

Striding to the front along the back straight, the daughter of Skyvalley had to dig deep during the latter stages as Gus An Maori finished strongly along the sprint lane.

Majestic Dream was 18-and-a-half metres away third.

“She’s a nice filly which is building a good record,” Craven said. “For now I will keep finding what suitable races I can as I work her towards the Derby, Oaks and Sires’ later in the year.”

Rating 1:59.8 over 1720 metres, Pink Galahs provided Craven the opening leg of a running double as Miss What Usain matched her feat in the following event.

Also driven by Craven, Miss What Usain enjoyed the ideal one-one trip before accounting for Betta Bopper and Juliustigres in 1:55.5 over 1720 metres.

“She had been building up to that win with three seconds and a third at her last four starts so it was good to see her get one on the board,” Craven said.