Anything you can do, I can do better!

THRIVING since being transferred to Mount Gambier, stablemates Go Jack Crocker and Spook Crocker have formed their own rivalry.

In a case of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’, the duo are matching each other win-for-win at their local track.

Go Jack Crocker and Spook Crocker have raced on the same card four times, with the latter boasting four wins to the former’s three.

Go Jack Crocker’s defeat was a head second to Spook Crocker!

Fast forward to last night’s premier meeting, and once again, both were engaged and both made their way to the winners’ circle.

With Mark Phillips in the cart, Go Jack Crocker outstayed his rivals to rate 2:01.3 over 2190 metres as She Will Wantano and We Favour Rosie filled the placings.

“Jack, which is named after my father, is loving life in Mount Gambier,” co-owner Gary Crocker said. “Steven (Fennell, trainer) has him in amazing condition…both of them actually.

“I had them both for sale and didn’t get a sniff, since then, Jack has had six starts for Steven for four wins and a second.”

Not to be outdone, Spook Crocker ‘one upped’ his stablemate by capturing the main event – Mount Gambier Gold Cup.

With Phillips in the cart, Spook Crocker was pushed through from the second row to find the lead as early pacemaker, Ocean Avenue, was eased to take a trial.

Striding clear during the latter stages, the son of Somebeachsomewhere completed a soft seven-metre win from Cee Cee Lou, with My Purple Patch nine metres away third.

Undefeated from five starts around the provincial circuit, Spook Crocker rated 1:59.8 over 2590 metres to slash a second from Royal Speech’s track record set in April 2022.

“What a terrific run, drive and training effort,” said Crocker, who bred and co-owns the gelding with Phil Woods. “Like Jack, he’s loving life with Steven and couldn’t be going better.

“As happy as Phil and I are as the owners, we’re rapt for Steven as it’s his first Cup win and he’s been trying to get one for a decade.”