By Neil Evans
Scone trainer Cameron Crockett will carry a two-fold assignment when he saddles up his highly capable sprinter Custo at Monday’s Tamworth meeting.
Not only is he out to lower the colours of Scone-based rival and hot favourite Perennial in a Benchmark 82 Hcp over 1000m, he’s also ready to test the form strength of a recent feature sprint at Dubbo.
Racing returns to Tamworth on Tuesday.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
A fortnight ago on Dubbo Gold Cup day, five-year-old Custo led for a long way in the feature BM 87 Vincent Gordon Flying Hcp over 1100m.
Ultimately he was beaten under two lengths by fast-finishing and resuming local Gallant Star who has only missed a place once in 12 career starts, with four wins, and sits on the $21 line for next Saturday’s feature $2 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick on Everest day.
But that form strength doesn’t stop there, with the second-placed runner from that race, Lonhro’s Queen, then finishing only three lengths from Pharari in Saturday’s BM 78 Hcp at Rosehill.
Even the fourth-placed runner Driving Force went into the feature Crystal Sprint at Coonamble’s Showcase Cup meeting on Sunday as a clear $2.80 favourite.
It’s not just a reminder of the wonderful depth in and around Dubbo racing, but Crockett hopes it can provide a lovely form platform for Custo to spring an upset at Tamworth and snatch his sixth career win from only 16 starts.
A speedy gelded son of prolific sire Deep Field, Custo will likely chase a feature late spring sprint or head to the Big Smoke for a Highway if he wins.
Bookmakers had him around a $4.80 chance in early markets well behind hot favourite Perennial who opened a raging $1.50 fancy.
Custo forms part of another strong team of Scone runners heading to Tamworth for the eight-race card.
Crockett has lightly raced Don’tknowyet ($6.00) resuming in a Maiden Hcp over 1200m before Negation ($6.50) tackles a Class 3 Hcp over 1200m second-up to close the meeting.
Meanwhile, fellow Scone horseman Lou Mary will be hoping his promising filly Off The Scale can improve enough to win the opening Maiden Plate (1400m) at just her second start.
A powerful daughter of Zousain, Off The Scale flew home from last at this track on debut a fortnight ago to finish just behind the placegetters after being heavily backed from $3.30 into $2.30.
