Terrific night at the office

LEADING trainer Craig Cross had a “terrific night at the office” last evening.

Taking a team of 14 to contest six races at Club Menangle, Cross’ crew registered four wins, with 10 runners earning prizemoney.

“I was confident we had some pretty good chances,” Cross said. “It was just a matter of them getting the right run.

“Like Culture King for example. He should’ve won last week but had no luck and made amends for it this week.

“In the end from 14 starters we picked up 10 cheques which made for a terrific night at the office.”

Pocket Of Terror opened Cross’ winning account by completing a soft seven-and-a-half metre win from Van Mara, with The Texas Ranger a half-neck away third.

Driven by Luke McCarthy, the son of Western Terror rated 1:53.9 over 2300 metres.

“Pocket Of Terror was in a similar boat to Culture King when nothing went right last week,” Cross said.

“He’s been racing consistently and only needed an ounce of luck to come out on top.”

Also partnered by McCarthy, Culture King then accounted for Pump The Brakes and Longnwindingroad in 1:55.8 over 2300 metres.

“Culture King is a nice type which just hasn’t had the best of luck of late,” Cross said. “He’s certainly capable of going through the grades.

“He’s only had 25 starts and will be right at his peak in 12 months time.”

Cross and McCarthy then combined to score with Hows The Memory which led early before being eased to take a trail behind the odds-on favourite Havtime.

Angled away from the pegs at the top of the home straight, the daughter of Mach Three sprinted to a six-and-a-half metre win from Havtime, with Love My Sister two metres away third.

Covering the mile in 1:50.1, the mare stretched her record to 14 wins and 10 placings from 40 starts.

“She is a nice mare and was always going to be in the mix,” Cross said. “After the run she got I would have been disappointed if she didn’t finish it off as strongly as she did.”

Stable newcomer Motu Gatecrasher rounded out the Cross’ quartet when he led home a stable quinella.

With Todd McCarthy holding the reins, Motu Gatecrasher rated 1:54.6 over 2300 metres as Cant Refuse and Always Rockin filled the placings.

“He trialled well a couple of weeks ago and was ready to run a big race,” Cross said. “He’s certainly capable of winning a few more but is likely to end up in America with Shane Tritton before to long.”