Max Crockett has just about done it all in racing.
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The 73-year-old Mudgee trainer has prepared winners on every city track and previously broke in “around 7000” horses for racing royalty, names like Cummings, Smith, Denham and Begg.
And while he’s cut back to just a four-horse stable after a serious accident, there’s an enticing first Crockett can claim if he’s again successful at the Gilgandra Cup on Sunday.
Crockett is looking for back-to-back victories with Lancelot in the $35,000 mile feature race at the Gilgandra Jockey Cup.
Successive cup wins will be a memorable feat in itself, with Cowra jockey Mathew Cahill again booked with the ride on Lancelot after guiding the 11-race winner to victory in 2017.
But a win on Sunday will also give Crockett a third Gilgandra Cup with Lancelot – a treble the veteran Mudgee trainer is yet to notch up with any horse and any feature race in the bush.
“Not three, no,” Crockett said when asked if he’s won three of the same cups with the one horse before.
“But Lancelot might do it. I couldn’t have him going any better.”
The key to such success?
“He’s got a good trainer,” Crockett laughed.
“An old fashioned trainer. I’ve won plenty of cups. Spent a bit of time with Bart and Tommy Smith.
“I think he’ll run a good race. He’s going well at the moment … he’s feeling good now.
“He’s got a bit of speed he can use early at Gil. There’s a short straight so he might hold. Cahill will give him that chance to hold on.”
Lancelot has drawn barrier five and is the top weight with 61 kilograms.
That allotment won’t worry Crockett’s chance, though, after he carried the same weight in a thrilling victory last year, holding off a late charge from Pippi’s Pride.
Crockett’s biggest rival to a third Gil Cup with Lancelot – and what would be a fifth in total after previous wins with Dreamwinner (2012) and Leica Light (2008) – comes from close to home, too.
Crockett’s son Cameron has Artistic Beauty jumping from the next barrier wide with champion bush hoop Greg Ryan on board.
“I think he’ll go well too … I’ve got to be worried there,” Crocket said.
“I think (Artistic Beauty) might be better on a bigger track, but I’m not his trainer.
“Working in favour is Greg Ryan. He’ll have him close.
“I’d happily be in the quinella with him though.”
Crockett says he loves supporting the Gilgandra Jockey Club, which has served as a happy hunting ground for the experienced horseman with three Gilgandra Plates on top of his four cup victories over the years.
“I’ve had a lot of luck at Gil. Lovely club. I like the people there. They always look after people that go there,” Crockett added.
He said Richard The First, to run in the fourth, was a strong chance.
The first race has been moved forward to 11.15am on Sunday to beat the expected heat, with a top temperature of 43 degrees predicted for Gilgrandra. The cup will jump at 2.47pm.