The first three home in the 1600m maiden at Ballarat on Wednesday were all nominated for either the VRC Derby or Oaks and while Crackerjack King (IRE) colt Crackerjack Prince had to settle for second to Redwood Shadow, his effort was another indication of the growing esteem in which his sire is held.
Trained by Archie Alexander, Crackerjack Prince was favourite for the race following a good debut second and acquitted himself well against a rival that is also aspiring to stakes races this spring in Redwood Shadow.
September has been a good month for Wyndholm Park’s Crackerjack King with three winners – Shadow Prey, Exalted Queen, Jack’s a Cracker - from six runners as well Crackerjack Kenny finishing a close second in a Highway race in Sydney at Rosehill.
Three year-old Shadow Prey is being prepared for the Victoria Derby by Simon Morrish and showed his potential when breaking his maiden in style at Ballarat on September 20.
Ballarat has been selected as the venue for his next outing with a Benchmark 58 event over 2000m seen as an ideal lead up for his grand final in the Derby on October 31.
A homebred for Wyndholm Park, who stand his sire Crackerjack King, Shadow Prey is the first winner for High Chaparral (IRE) mare Lady Brave, a daughter of Group I Queensland Oaks runner up Rathsallagh.
He certainly has the pedigree to suggest Derby with a double cross of Sadler’s Wells as does Melbourne Cup favourite Russian Camelot.
From small numbers Crackerjack King is proving his worth, the Group I winning son of Shamardal standing at a fee of $6,600.
