Racing: Mare convincing for Crump

Promising four-year-old Chong Nonsi blasted to a convincing one-and-a-half-length victory in the Country Challenge Heat at the Mt Barker Turf Club last Friday, confirming her credentials as one of the Great Southern’s most talented gallopers.

Picture by Laurie Benson: Andrew Heffernan gets Stone Boy, trained by Steve Wolfe, up by a short neck to win over Secret Bullion, ridden by Peter Black.

Friday’s victory was the fourth from just seven starts for the Blackfriars mare and she will now head into Saturday’s Country Challenge Final (1500m) at Ascot full of confidence.

“I am very happy … she is looking to be one of the best horses we have had come through,” trainer Annette Crump said.

“It was a good ride. She is starting to learn something.”

Crump said Saturday’s final would determine just how good the horse really was.

The trainer is confident after a promising campaign thus far.

“I would prefer to make comment after the final,” Crump said.

“She pulled up pretty well and had an easy day today (Sunday) so she will have a normal week given the races are only eight days apart.”

The mare will step up 200m in distance for the final but Crump was not bothered by the increase given the horse’s background.

“Grant (Gibbs) bred her so we always thought she would go alright,” she said.

“She is bred for staying so she should go well and hopefully travel over 1800m eventually.”

Jockey Jason Whiting settled the mare towards the tail shortly after jumping on Friday but she ran home well from the turn to chase down Disco Reveller and Successful Spin, who filled the minor placings.

Crump was not sure who would ride her star in the final but hinted Whiting or William Pike as the two hoops she would approach.

Second favourite behind Chong Nonsi on Friday, Collayshell, was in a good position at the 800m to make a move but was pulled up by apprentice Mitchell Pateman and finished 13 lengths last.

Haddon Hall won his first race since January for trainer Paul Parsons in the Elders Insurance Handicap (1300m) while Albany trainers Steve Wolfe (Stone Boy and Miss Legacy) and Paul Hunter (Timely Reign and The Dark Side) recorded training doubles.

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