Crack Me Up’s got flair
Doncaster in sights as Cairns trio’s gelding shows mettle against Winx
CAIRNS trio Jamie Mcintosh, Craig Cygler and Paul Fowler have $3 million Doncaster Mile ambitions with Crack Me Up after taking it up to the mighty Winx in the George Ryder Stakes.
Mcintosh, Cygler and Fowler are all former teammates at Brothers in the Cairns District Rugby League and have found an exciting gelding in Crack Me Up. The trio purchased the New Zealander as a yearling and have been on board for the four-year-old’s six career wins from 23 starts.
After finishing just over four lengths behind Winx in the George Ryder Stakes last Saturday, the Doncaster Mile is next on the agenda.
The Far North connections were all on course at Rosehill on Saturday to watch their horse take on the champion Australian thoroughbred racehorse.
“It was only beaten four and a half lengths to Winx last start, that is pretty good.” Mcintosh said.
“It was pretty amazing to be down there in the mounting yard to watch our horse race Winx, we were pretty pumped to run fourth. “We were competitive.” Two starts back, Crack Me Up claimed the Group 3 $150,000 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) with the Group 1 Doncaster Mile up next.
“The Doncaster is one of the tougher 1600m races going around, it will be tough,” Mcintosh said.
“It will be a big field in the Doncaster, our horse likes the pace on.”
Crack Me Up was given a one kilogram penalty for the Doncaster Mile taking him to 53kg.
The winner of the Group Two Villiers Stakes in December, Crack Me Up beat Care To Think by half a length in the Liverpool City Cup Group Three race over 1300m.
He is now trained by Bjorn Baker with his Queensland trainer Liam Birchley barred from starting horses in NSW pending the outcome of a hearing into bicarb charges in Victoria.
The 2018 Doncaster Mile – a 1600m Group One Handicap race will be held at Randwick Racecourse on April 7.
Meanwhile, seven TAB races will be run this afternoon at Townsville Turf Club with plenty of Far North interest at Cluden Park.