08 January 2018 | Graham Fischer
Relief is the word used by trainer Justin Brewin to describe the win of Major Crocker at Globe Derby Park on Saturday.
“It is a big honour to be asked to train a Grand Circuit performer and to get a win at his first run for me is a relief,” Brewin said.
“It would have been nice to be a bit bigger margin, but a win is a win.”
A red-hot favourite at $1.30 in the DPR Insurance Brokers Pace (2230m), Major Crocker arrived right on the line for driver Jayden Brewin to score a short-half-head win from Futurist ($11.80) which wouldn’t go down without a fight with Tezz Khora ($21.60), a similar margin away third in an exciting finish.
“He just wants to win,” declared breeder and managing owner Gary Crocker.
“He was in front for the first time right on the line. He doesn’t like being beaten.”
But trainer Justin Brewin has other issues to deal with this week in the lead up to the Group 1 $100,000 SA Pacing Cup (2645m) at Globe Derby Park.
Major Crocker struck himself during the race with some nicks on a hind leg which will mean plenty of beach for the seven-year-old leading up to the Cup.
Coming from gate 11, Jayden Brewin deliberately sat a little wide after gate release to ensure a clear run around the first turn and it proved smart as Braeview Bomber ($54.60) went into a gallop early from the inside causing a few issues.
Darren Billinger, on Futurist, saw the opportunity to press on from gate five and find the lead, and it wasn’t long until Brewin brought Major Crocker around to sit parked to try and control the race.
As it was the Major’s first run for a month, and with a view to the Cup, Brewin wanted to give his drive as easy a run as he could which suited Billinger on the leader with 31.0 and 30.7 second quarters of the last 1600 metres.
Futurist increased the speed off the back and Major Crocker was left a little flat-footed.
With Billinger driving hard, Futurist looked to be holding Major Crocker which refused to give in and kept coming while Tezz Khora, which had a great run in transit, came wide to join in.
The trio sprinted hard and fast up the home straight but the Major saluted in the last bound.
Formerly trained in Victoria by Vince Vallelonga, Major Crocker was transferred to Brewin with the SA Cup as a major target.
A Cup win would be emotional for Crocker, currently a Harness Racing South Australia director, who was raised at Port Pirie and developed his passion for the sport at the northern circuit.
He has developed into a successful owner-breeder through his Walk Proud Pty Ltd, with Major Crocker the flag-bearer.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
