Craven was forced to take the drive when Matt Craven was tipped out of the sulky a couple of weeks ago and as a result was absent from the Stawell meeting.

Craven has not driven regularly in more than two years, but had not missed a beat on the track.

Ducale Bromac was heavily backed going into the race and after working towards the front the win was never in doubt.

"It was good to get a win with her because she has been going okay without luck," Craven said.

"She needs that little bit of luck and she got that today."

Craven has been helping Matt for years at the stables and has plenty to do with the horses, but driving is a different story.

"All the old blokes are starting to come out of retirement," Craven said.

"I've got a couple of wins in the last couple of weeks it has been good. I was only helping Matt out, but it is nice to be rewarded.

"Craven had always planned to get to the front of the field early and thought that is where Ducale Bromac would run her best race.

"She is a better horse is she can get to the front," Craven said.

"She is a little bit one paced, so you can rate her a bit more to her liking in the front."

The four year old mare will now race on her home track of Terang on cup day next weekend.

"It will be a step up in grade for her," Craven said.

"This distance suits her at the minute so probably best we don't push her too much."

It is hope Matt Craven will have recovered by then and will be able to return to the sulky.