Crockett’s new frontier
Consistent Crockett made the long trip to Mount Gambier worthwhile with a win for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
It was the duo’s first runner at South Australia’s most southerly track and ended up a perfect result.
Crockett, the $2.90 favourite, ridden by apprentice Lachlan Neindorf, scored a half-length win in the Galpins Accountants, Auditors and Business Associates Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) beating Mista Holyfield ($11) with Jack The Giantslayer ($3.50), three-quarters of a length away third. The race was a heat of the Happy Trails Series.
Neindorf had the four-year-old third on the fence in running before coming into the clear about 300 metres from home and racing clear to win.
South Australian stable foreman John Cornell said Crockett had been the first runner for Kildalton Park at Mount Gambier.
“It is for Tony and Calvin, but I can remember coming here around 2002 when Tony was training for the Lindsay Park team,” Cornell said.
“We bought a couple down for Cup day when it was run on a Friday and it was dismal.
“It was good to come today, a five-hour drive but it was worth it.
“Crockett is a Flemington winner and won the first two-year-old race in Adelaide of his season.
“He also went to the Gold Coast to run in the Magic Millions, so he has been to a few places.
“The aim was to come here for a heat of the Happy Trails series and qualify for the final.
“It was a lovely ride by young Lachy (Lachlan Neindorf) as well. It was a good result all round.
“He rode him intelligently and obviously the 3kg claim works really well when they ride like that.”
Cornell said he had ridden at Mount Gambier during his jumping career but it had always been windy, cold and wet so today’s blue skies were a new experience.
Winning rider Lachlan Neindorf said it had been a honour to ride for the McEvoy stable.
“I was very thrilled and excited to wear the McEvoy colours for the first time at Murray Bridge,” Neindorf said.
“It was a bit of a relief when I crossed the line then and it was good to do it again today.
“They are placing the horse well and it was privilege to be part of the team today.
“Mr McEvoy does a great job and I can’t thank them enough. It was good to get the job done for them today.
“Crockett just jumped that little bit slow today.
“I was happy to sit third on the fence because I knew the leader would take me to the home turn.
“I was able to push out on straightening and he was just going too well.”
Crockett’s record is now five wins and four placings from just 18 starts.