Mackellar's Love did exactly what she does best on Sunday, setting the tone early and fighting on bravely in the straight to win the Lion Cup (1400m) at her home track in Mudgee.
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The gallant mare has been racing for roughly nine months without a spell for trainer Cheryl Crockett but she shows no signs of slowing down.
James Rogers produced a fine performance in the saddle during the feature event, booting clear early on gate seven and leading by almost three lengths at one point.
The Rodney Robb-trained A Magic Zariz ($5.50) set clear of the chasing pack to join the leader in the straight but Mackellar's Love never faltered.
Crockett's $8 hope fought on gamely and won by just more than a length from the fast-finishing Caszar ($2.40 favourite) while A Magic Zariz was third.
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A delighted Crockett was especially pleased to see the hard work of English jockey Rogers, who followed instructions to a tee in the race, rewarded.
"Very pleased and James rode her beautifully," Crockett told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
"He rides her work every day. Never misses a day and repaid with his loyalty with the rides on my horses."
It was only four starts back Rogers got Mackellar's Love out to an almighty lead in the Wellington Cup but that early work meant she tired late and was overhauled and forced to settle for third that day.
She hasn't placed in three starts since but things went right to plan on Sunday.
"Go straight to the lead or as close to the lead but don't lead by 12 lengths like he did at Wellington," Crockett said of the instructions.
"Try and just hold her up coming into the straight and that's what he did and she fought on well."
It was the six-year-old's sixth win in total and second since Cheryl took over the training at the Mudgee stables from her late husband, Max.
Crockett doesn't race Mackellar's Love all too often and she said the mare "loves it" that way.
Her last spell was in the first half of last year but she's likely to keep on now, having become something of a cup specialist for Crockett.
It wasn't the only winner from the local area early on at Mudgee on Sunday, as Gulgong trainer Mark Milton had taken out the day's opening event with $3.40 favourite Polished Penny.
