The barest of margins, a mere nose, denied full siblings Crackercol and Waitak a notable raceday double at Trentham on Saturday.
Star galloper Waitak, a six-year-old son of Rich Hill stallion Proisir and Shocking mare Repo Bay, had to settle for the runner-up position in the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) after a thrilling three-way finish to the day’s feature event that involved eventual winner Provence and the third-placed La Crique.
That was just two races after his younger full-brother Crackercol once again showed he was a high-class stayer in the making after the four-year-old came from three-wide in midfield throughout to steamroll his opposition in the Rothley 2100.
Waitak had been shooting for his third successive Group One crown after taking the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) for owner Jill Devine and trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Despite the defeat, Scott had nothing but praise for the performance of his charge who was resuming from a five-week break following his Livamol Classic triumph.
“It was a nervous wait for the final placings to be declared and generally the longer the wait you think there may have been a dead-heat, but this time it didn’t go our way,” Scott said.
“We couldn’t be prouder of him though as his performance was very good, he is just super consistent and doesn’t miss a beat.
“He had been away for five weeks and it is hard for them to drop back to the mile after going 2000m.
“He presented well on the day and the way he went you couldn’t have asked any more from him.”
Scott and O’Sullivan will now set their sights on another Ellerslie elite-level target, with Waitak set to tackle the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day.
“He had a long trip home last night but got back and ate everything we put in front of him,” Scott said.
“He has always been a good doer and he presented well this morning, so he doesn’t look to have taken any ill effects from the trip.
“He can have an easy time for a few days and then we will tick him over to get him ready for the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie.
“Provided everything goes to plan, he can then be set for the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) at Te Rapa in February, which is the traditional path for these high quality gallopers.”
In contrast, Scott and O’Sullivan don’t have any set plans in mind for Crackercol, preferring to take a race by race approach to ensure they don’t overtax the promising stayer after a lengthy campaign.
“He (Crackercol) ran through winter and has just got better and better,” he said.
“The last two months he has been racing consistently well and has clearly benefitted from a bit of age on his side and the patient approach we have been able to adopt with him.
“Like his older brother, we believe the best is yet to come and there is definitely a big race win in him if he keeps showing the progress he has made of late.
“That was a strong field on Saturday, with good lines of form, and he put them away in good fashion.
“They can sometimes be vulnerable first time over ground, but he was very strong through the line.
“We will watch him and as soon as he gives us any sign he needs a break he will be off to the paddock, but at the moment he is thriving.”
While the stable was enjoying a quiet day on Sunday, Scott knows it won’t be the same next weekend, with a number of runners set to tackle feature events at Te Rapa on Saturday including Checkmate, Smart Love and Lux Libertas in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) and Sassy Lass in the Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m).
“It’s nice to have a quiet Sunday for a change, although next week will be busy with plenty of runners set to line-up at Te Rapa,” he said.
“We have a number of runners in the feature races, while two of our babies will make their debuts in the two-year-old event, so it will be all systems go for the team.” - LOVERACING.NZ NZ News Desk
