Spook Crocker all the way in Mount Gambier Gold Cup success

A daring drive by Mark Phillips cleared the way for promising gelding Spook Crocker (Somebeachsomewhere) to take out an action packed Matthews Petroleum Mount Gambier Gold Cup Final at the Greenwald raceway on Saturday evening.

Despite the awkward draw Spook Crocker was supported into favouritism just ahead of the Marg and Paddy Lee trained Keayang Payton.

Lochie Cook on Keayang Payton looked for the lead but David Drury on outsider Ocean Avenue had other ideas as he booted up in the inside to hold him out. While this was going on Spook Crocker who had worked up mid field made a dash with just two and half laps to travel to race to the lead. This pushed Keayang Payton back in the field as Cee Cee Lou and Grinning Beach Boy both made runs three wide around the field.

But running his first two quarters in 32 and 30.1 seconds enabled Spook Crocker to have plenty left in reserve as he booted clear on straightening and he easily held a gallant Cee Cee Lou by seven metres with My Purple Patch who sat three wide in the final lap finishing a credible third ahead of the luckless Keayang Payton.

The win was a popular local affair with Spook Crocker prepared by Steve Fennell who trains his team on the Mount Gambier circuit. Spook Crocker has now six of his 21 appearances and last night’s success was his best win to date.

SPOOK CROCKER 14 MAR REPLAY

The win completed a double for Fennell and Phillips and owner Phil Wood when Go Jack Crocker (Art Major) won earlier in the evening.

The Canny Ever Mount Gambier Trotters Cup attracted only six starters but yet another intriguing battle outside Muscle Valley (Sky Valley) obtained an inside run to hold out Meadow Valley Star who came off 40 metres and The Priestess. Muscle Valley was patiently driven by Hannah Lewis and the three year old gelding rated 2.5.5 for the 2580 metre trip.

However the Lee stable didn’t go home empty handed as promising three year old filly Keayang Passion (Stay Hungry) held out a courageous Zanda Man for a narrow win in the Helen Dihm Memorial Blue Lake classic.

Keayang Passion led all the way but Zanda Man who was outside the leader throughout refused to give in and in a thrilling finish she prevailed but only just.

Keayang Passion is out of the Art Major mare Rogers Passion who won 10 races with a best time of 1.56.6. She is also the dam of the proven pacer Captain Hammerhead who’s won over 15 races and has been able to race in the very best company.

It was a packed meeting at Mount Gambier that is well patronised by the local community. The track is a tricky 805 metre circuit with tight turns but makes for exciting racing. The club is seen as a major circuit for South Australia and this year will host 18 meetings.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink