Crack Me Up revels in big weight drop
WEIGHTS are on the mind of trainer Liam Birchley but this time in a good sense as Crack Me Up heads to Doomben.
Crack Me Up, who carried 63kg at his latest start, takes on a strong field in the Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) at his second run back from a spell.
There are several top quality and highly rated horses entered for the race, which meant handicappers compressed the weights.
Crack Me Up, who has won three stakes races, was given the minimum of 54kg and drew barrier one .
It is a drop of 9kg from the 63kg he carried when second to Brooklyn Storm at Doomben when he resumed two weeks ago.
As is usual with Birchley’s horses, Crack Me Up had several days at the trainer’s Archer Park complex north of Brisbane to recover from the run.
“He has really pleased me since he came back into work this time. It was a strong run under the 63kg last time,” Birchley said.
“We have been thinking about taking him to Sydney for the Villiers so he will need to show us something on Saturday to justify the trip.”
The sharp drop in weight has had one downside with jockey Damian Browne, who rode him last start unable to make 54kg.
Matt McGillivray has picked up the ride tomorrow.
Punters have been quick to back Crack Me Up with the four-year-old back from $3.60 into $2.70 in UBET markets.
“Seventy per cent of the early action has been for him,” UBET spokesman Nick Curry said. “Our customers clearly believe he’s the one to beat.”
Crack Me Up claimed the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m) and Listed Tatts Mile (1600m) during the Brisbane winter racing carnival.
“He put it all together last preparation when he won those two big races,” Curry said.
“And his effort on resumption a fortnight ago, where he carried 63 kilos and flashed home up the running rail for second, was hard to miss.”