Jockey Andrew Gibbons believes Gosford four-year-old Through The Cracks could develop into a Provincial Championship contender next season following his brilliant win at the Newcastle Race meeting on Saturday. Facing his stiffest test in his short career, Through The Cracks contested the 1200 metre Newcastle Nobby’s Benchmark 70 Handicap and the four-year-old came through with flying colours.
The gelding has won three of his four starts on country tracks and punters were confident he could handle the rise in class as he went into the barrier as the $2.80 favourite. Gibbons was having his first ride in the horse and he settled him in the second half of the field.
The race was run at a good tempo and Through The Cracks travelled kindly. When he was called on in the home straight he produced an exceptional turn of foot to round up the leaders and win running away by more than a length. Gibbons had a smile from ear to ear when unsaddling the Gosford sprinter following the race.
“This is a serious racehorse and he accelerated in the straight like only good horses can. He has so much to learn and wait until he puts it all together. He wants to race too fierce at this stage, but he will learn. Through The Cracks can develop into a Provincial Championship contender next season” Gibbons said.
After a quiet couple of weeks, Gibbons bounced back with three winners in six days. His season tally of winners stands at 106 with three months remaining in the 2018/19 season. Angela Davies trains Through The Cracks.
“No one wanted him at the 2015 Scone Yearling Sales and we bought him for $7,500. That was some win today and he is ready for Metropolitan racing. I had a tearful morning as a promising Deep Field two-year-old I bought at the Magic Millions Sale had to be put down after a track accident this morning. The day has ended a lot better than it started,” Davies said.
Eight-year-old stayer Hirokin destined for a show jumping career later this year dealt punters a blow with his first up win in the 1400 metre Benchmark 64 Handicap. A $21 chance the gelding raced on the speed and after racing past favourite Total Power in the straight. Hirokin staved off a storming finish from Taree trained Texas Storm to win by half a neck.
Warwick Farm trainer Jarrod Austin prepares Hirokin for his father Brian who bought the then yearling for $25,000. Saturday was the gelding’s tenth win and he has won $235,000 in prizemoney.
“I gave him a rough chance, but I knew he needed the run. The ride by Jess Taylor was outstanding. This is Hirokin’s last preparation as he is going to be a show jumper. The Gooree Cup will be run in Mudgee in three weeks and that will be his next run. He won the race two years ago. Dad has been ill, and he was going to watch today’s race on television” Austin said.
James Cummings landed a double at the meeting and Jess Taylor took the riding honours with a double.
Kris Lees won with Angel Of Heaven and Paul Perry’s winner was Ducale.