South-west trainer provides insight into blossoming career

The 22-year-old scored his first group one victory in December with Keayang Ignite winning at Melton.

Paddy was especially proud of the win because it was a family effort.

Keayang Ignite is owned by the Craven (cousins) and Lee families. They operate under the name, Levarg Racing Group.

Paddy's brother Jason drove that night.

Meanwhile, Paddy's mum Marg is also a trainer.

They've already trained 60 winners between them this season.

"We've had a really good start to the season," Paddy said.

Marg is leading the way with 35 wins and Paddy has 25 to his name.

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While they're both competitive, they help each other be the best they can be.

"Everything I do with my training is based on what I learnt off Mum," Paddy said.

The young trainer, who sometimes drives, is pleased to be learning from his tight-knit team - Mum, Jason and cousin Glen Craven.

He also credited the workers on their south Ecklin property who "treat the horses like one of their own".

Paddy is hoping Craven can drive Jilliby Retro to victory again on Friday night at Terang.

The pair teamed up at Terang a fortnight ago for a win in the 1680-metre South West Conveyancing two-year-old pace.

Jilliby Retro, which has barrier eight in race two this Friday, has had three starts for two wins.

"Seeing as he's won the two races he's going to have to overcome a tough draw," Paddy said.

The trainer of six years said Jilliby Retro was a work in progress and he can see a bright future ahead.

"I reckon he'll blossom when three-year-old time comes around," he said.

Marg and Jason (driver) also have Keayang Kamikaze in race two.

Paddy's night won't finish there with Jason to drive Bundy Playboy in race eight.

The six-year-old has barrier six in the $8000 Terang Co-op Pace.

Bundy Playboy had a leg injury and has just returned from a 13-month break.

He ran third at Stawell earlier this week, his first start since his return.

"It was terrific to do well after 13 months off," Paddy said of that performance.

The trainer believes Bundy Playboy needs a few more runs before finding consistent form again.

Paddy explained why the pacer was important to him.

"He won races when I started off my training career," he said.

While Paddy has been in the game six years now, his passion for the sport hasn't wavered across the years.

"I love it," he said.

"Mainly brainstorming with the trotters is my favourite part of training."

Paddy said it was a thrill to sit in the sulky behind an exceptional trotter.

He added Jilliby Babavska, Keayang Ignite and Keayang Yankee were the sort of trotters that make you "want to get out of bed in the morning".

Meanwhile, Paddy normally has footy as his outlet from harness racing.

He intended to play for Nirranda's reserves team in the Warrnambool and District league this season.

That competition has been postponed until at least May 31.

But the 22-year-old has been able to maintain balance in his life, working on his family's dairy farm.

His daily routine involves about four hours rearing calves in the morning, working with horses during the day and then feeding calves at night.

Harness Racing Victoria is operating with a new region-based racing calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has divided the state into six regions and participants can only race in their region.

Terang is part of the west region so local drivers and trainers, such as Paddy, can only race at Terang and Stawell.

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