Mudgee’s Cheryl Crockett became the third member of her family in as many years to train the winner of the 1600 metres Gilgandra Cup when Mackellars Love galloped to victory in the $35,000 feature race on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mackellars Love had been the final starter in a race for the legendary horse breaker and trainer Max Crockett and following his recent passing his wife Cheryl obtained a trainers licence to keep operating the stable.
Cameron Crockett, the son of Max and Cheryl, won the 2018 Gilgandra Cup with Artistic Beauty following the Cup win by Lancelot trained by Max, in 2017.
Overall, Max was the trainer of four Gilgandra Cup winners, Leica Light (2008), Dream Winner (2012) and Lancelot (2014 and 2017).
“It means a lot to me,” Cheryl told sky sports coverage of the Gillgandra Cup on Sunday.
“I lost my husband not long ago and he was training up until then … she was ridden well by the jockey too, and that helps. I was so pleased when (Grant) rang to ride her.”
Riding at Gilgandra for the first time, much travelled jockey Grant Buckley gave Mackellars Love a great run behind the leaders Cowboys Karma and Wollartant in the $35,000 Gilgandra Sporting Club Gilgandra Cup.
Sprinting to the lead in the straight, Mackellars Love ($8.50) won by over two lengths from Cowboys Karma (Ken Dunbar, $6) and Living Choice (Tony Cavallo, $3.50).
“My wife was coming along for work and she said why not come up for a few rides,” Buckley said of his first trip to the Gilgandra track.
“The race unfolded well. I wanted to be positive, especially on this track, and I was happy to be following Kenny Dunbar, I thought he was the one to beat. I was able to get on his back and he towed me a long way.
“It’s an honour to ride for the family. It’s been a tough month for them.”
The inaugural running of the Gilgandra Newspapers-Bob Foran Memorial Gilgandra Town Plate (1100 metres) was the other feature at the 2019 Cup meeting.
This race had been staged for many years as the Vic and Maude Foran Memorial Town Plate as a tribute to the parents of legendary racecaller Bob Foran.
It’s an honour to ride for the family. It’s been a tough month for them.
- Gilgandra Cup winning jockey Grant Buckley after winning on board Cheryl Crockett's Mackellars Love.
A wonderful citizen of Gilgandra, Bob Foran who passed away in June 2018 was the caller of an incredible 60 Gilgandra Cups during a career which saw him calling races at many tracks in central and western New South Wales.
Bob Foran was also a third generation trainer and won races in Sydney with Better Ghost (1980) and Veritas (1982).
From the Brett Thompson stable at Gulgong, talented sprinter Sugar Dance (Billy Cray, $3.40 favourite) led most of the way to beat A Martin Place Pick (Daniel Northey, $10) and Fine Hero (Ashleigh Stanley, $4.80) in the $27,000 Bob Foran Memorial Town Plate.
The 2 day carnival (January 1 and 6) was also notable for the success enjoyed by owners and trainers from Gilgandra.
Sugar Lane ridden by Chelsea Ings for trainer Collen Thurston and owner Bryan Dixon won on both days of the carnival and now has the record of 4 wins and a second from 5 starts at the Gilgandra track.
Local trainer Bruce Parker won both days with Star Of Zizou ridden by Kath Bell-Pitomac and also won on Sunday with Bid To Fame with Tony Cavallo in the saddle.
On the first day of the carnival, the Leo Harland, Gilgandra trained Trust Me Bill (Ashleigh Stanley, $7) won the inaugural Gilgandra Services Club - Kate Smith Memotial Gold Cup (1550 metres) from Ridgi Ridge (Ken Dunbar, $15) and A Wild Enemy’s Pick (Tony Cavallo, $8.50).
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below …