Crutchley on the charge in Singapore

Trainer Stephen Crutchley may have only been saddling horses at the races in his own name in Singapore for a little over four months, but the New Zealander already has a loyal following at Kranji. Why?

Probably because the Kiwi handler had been an assistant trainer to some very good operators in Singapore (four-time champion trainer, Mark Walker, to name just one) prior to striking out on his own and has hit the ground running, albeit with a small team under his care.

The fact that he also trained in his own right in New Zealand - where he saddled multiple Group winner, Mi Jubilee, to win the Group 1 Ellerslie Sires Produce and the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes in 2005 - before moving to Singapore in 2014 was also in his favour.

A point not lost on astute racegoers, who are now reaping the rewards given Crutchley has trained eight winners since sending out his first runner – Proof Perfect on February 19 (second to Crystal Warrior) - at an exceptional strike rate of 16.33%.

That strike rate is second only to trainer James Peters (21.43%) and like Peters; Crutchley prides himself in getting his horses in the right races.

Crutchley currently has 15 horses in work, including Charger who looks a winning chance in the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1200m tomorrow.

“He goes well in the right race,” he continued. “He was ridden upside down last time and got too far forward – he needs to be ridden quieter in this sort of company.

“This field looks suitable and with (jockey) Ronnie (Stewart) back on – he knows him well – we should find a sit from gate six and he looks right up to this with 52.5kgs”.

Indeed, Stewart was on board when Charger last won – albeit in a Class 5 Division 1 race – that saw him led all the way over 1200m on 30 April.

“Yes, he can lead and win in Class 5 – Ronnie rode him well that day – but he knows it will have to be a different ride in this field,” he said. –