Runkle Crunch proves his worth in Golden Nugget success

Classy four year old Runkle Crunch (Captain Crunch) served notice that he will be a star in forthcoming feature races when he gave a powerful front running display to take out the Group 1 Retravision $200,000 Golden Nugget Stakes at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

With a plumb draw on the inside of his arch rival Mad Monday, Runkle Crunch was sent out favourite by punters and was expected to lead. But there were a few tense early moments when Reinette from out wide almost wrested the lead away from Runkle Crunch with Mad Monday also showing blistering speed. However Runkle Crunch kicked back and held up to hold the lead.

Mad Monday momentarily had the one out and one back trail but Deni Roberts decided to face the outside while Lincoln Lou had a sit behind the leader.

RUNKLE CRUNCH 6 NOV REPLAY

Aiden De Campo was conscious to give Runkle Crunch a breather in the lead knowing that Lincoln Lou who possesses a sharp spring was right on his back. Cyclone Jordy was well back on the rails.

Runkle Crunch ran his last two quarters in 27.6 and 27.5 seconds but while the stepping up the pace, De Campo was intent on keeping Lincoln Lou. He finally dashed clear at the 150 metre mark and although Lincoln Lou got wound up towards the finish the post was too close and Runkle Crunch prevailed. Stormy Vista finished on for third just in advance of Cyclone Jordy who would have run very fast final sectionals and maybe returning to the form we have been used to see him previously.

But the night belonged to De Campo and Runkle Crunch and this talented gelding is destined for better things. De Campo commented after the race.

At the start I was doing some screaming at the horse and to the drivers to the outside. I haven’t driven that desperate into the first corner since Pacing Cup a few years ago. So it was good that we were able to hold up. Rainette probably saved us a little bit  but once he got to the front and he relaxed beautiful for me after that.  I was jogging around the corner and I knew I had a fast horse on my back. Probably let it out a little bit early, but 50 from the line he was holding it quite easily. And just a great win for a great group of owners.

We had to do enough to make sure Mad Monday’s done enough work, and obviously Geordie (Cyclone Jordie) back in the field as well. We had some real quick sit kick horses on our backs. But I held him up.  Normally I would probably hold up another 50, but the adrenaline might have got to me. I just went a little bit early. But he was good enough to hold on in the end, and on the line, he’s probably coming away from him again.

At the 150 I was a bit worried. But at the 100 I was okay.

I had Hands On Wheels towards the end of his end of his career. He won a Derby but didn’t win a Nugget. And this bloke’s done the double. I’m just excited to have a horse that’s good enough to mix it with the best. I haven’t had many, make it to this top echelon. That’s the next step in my training career, and hopefully this bloke can take me a little bit further.

As to a potential start in the Group 1 West Australian Pacing Cup on 11 December De Campo was understandably non committal.

I’ll see how he pulls up. He definitely won’t go next week. Then we’ll just make a plan from there. If he pulls up well we can definitely go there (for the Pacing Cup). But I’ll just see what he does tonight and in the next few days.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink