Lara trainer Anita Courts, 27, has cracked her first Country Cup win with her kennel star Crackerjack Choc in the $67,000 Backman’s Greyhound Supplies Cranbourne Cup (520m).
Paying a staggering $26.00 for the win from box two in what was the third leg of the Gippsland Carnival, not even Anita gave her 32-kilo chaser much of a chance against a line-up that consisted of three Jason Thompson trained greyhounds.
“I really didn’t think I would be standing here,” Anita said with tears of joy at the post-race presentation.
“Jason Thompson had some amazing greyhounds in the field and to beat the likes of the Big Flood ($2.30 Favourite), who has to be one of the most exciting young greyhounds at the moment, is a credit to Crackjack Choc.”
The son of Cosmic Rumble and Lizzie’s Memory utilized box two, staying within a couple of lengths behind the leading Archie Fields (box six) and Don’t Kid Me (box seven). Strength prevailed as Crackerjack Choc proved just how important it is to have a big motor over Cranbourne’s 520-metre journey.
Crackerjack Choc eventually won by less than half a length over the Gerard O’Keeffe-trained Archie Fields ($41.70), with a further five lengths to the third-placed the Steven White-trained Don’t Kid Me ($15.70).
The trio combined for a whopping trifecta dividend of $4,982.80, while the First 4, which also included the fourth-placed Jason Thompson-trained Sleek Master ($3.80), paid an unfathomable $18,199.20.
WATCH: Crackerjack Choc win his first Country Cup from box two.
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“I can’t believe he held on.”
Crackerjack Choc is now a winner of 14 races from 56 starts and he doubled his career earnings to $93,660 following his biggest win to date.
“We only have a small team but we work hard and this is the greatest reward,” Anita said.
Although unlucky in the Cranbourne Cup, Jason Thompson had one reason to smile, that being a win by his exciting stayer, Burn One Down.
Burn One Down took out the second feature on the night, the Victoria Cup which is held over the 699-metre distance, stopping the clock at 40.730sec.
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WATCH: Burn One Down take out the Victoria Cup from box three.
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Heading into the first corner of the Cranbourne Cup.
Crackerjack Choc defeated Archie Fields in the 2017 Cranbourne Cup.
Burn One Down crossing the line in the Victoria Cup on Cranbourne Cup night.
Jason with daughter Sophie Thompson and super stayer Burn One Down.
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