Trainer Liam Birchley believes the best is yet to come for colt Crack Me Up who has scored his third stakes win at Doomben.
Crack me Up ($4) charged home to over-run Cruising Speed ($10) by a half head in Saturday’s Listed Tattersall’s Mile which was the last stakes race of the Brisbane season.
Birchley has always had an opinion of Crack Me Up but admitted it had gone up another notch with his recent efforts.
“When he failed at Eagle Farm in May I knew he was much better than that. He has proven me right winning the (Group Three) Sunshine Coast Guineas and now another Listed race to go with his win in the (Listed) Dalrello Stakes last year.”
Crack Me up will now go for a spell but Birchley is looking forward to the summer feature races in Sydney and Brisbane.
“There isn’t anything in the Magic Millions series to suit him but there is the Villiers or even Summer Cup in Sydney and the Bernborough Hcp in Brisbane,” Birchley said.
“I am keen to give him a chance at races at least over 2000m. I have no doubt the best is yet to come for him.”
Michael Cahill completed a treble on Crack Me Up after earlier Saturday wins on Stanley and Sunny Victory.
“He just keeps improving and I think he is going to be a serious horse” Cahill said.
Cruising Speed was brave at her first run over 1600m and jockey Bridget Grylls thought she would win 100m out.
“But Crack Me Up was a bit too strong. At least she picked up black type for her owners,” Grylls said.
Pindan Pearl was a length back in third and also got her owner’s wish to pick up some black type in what could be her last race.
Earlier, jockey Jim Byrne scored a sentimental win on Khalama who carried the colours of multiple Group one winner Grand Armee who died this week.
Khalama is raced by Allan Bell who also had Grand Armee who won seven Group One races and more than $5 million in prize money.
Bell, a former vet and trainer, is also a renowned owner and breeder of horses such as Schillachi, Deep Field, Dupain and Star Turn.
Khalama is the first horse he has sent to Brisbane’s leading trainer Tony Gollan.
“I go back a long way with Allan who was introduced to me through (trainer) Tim Martin. There is no better buyer and judge of a horse,” Gollan said.
“He has always promised to send me a good horse and Khalama has won two races for us now.”
Gollan hopes Khalama will measure up to the fillies and mares stakes races in the summer.
Caloundra-based apprentice Stephanie Lacy rode her first Saturday metropolitan winner when Backslapper led all of the way to win the Class 6.
Lacy, who has ridden more than 100 winners in provincial and country areas, recently had her indentures transferred to John Symons and Sheila Laxon.
Backslapper’s trainer Steve Tregea said he had no hesitation in booking Lacy who he regarded a very promising rider.
“She has been getting plenty of winners around the provincials and she should make it in town,” he said.
