Cracker ignites fireworks with 3yo romp

Wulguru trainer Michael McLellan is reassessing winter carnival options for pocket rocket Cracker Essgee after another powerhouse win at Cluden Park today.

The son of Hvasstan, ridden a treat by Brisbane jockey Ryan Wiggins, crushed the best of his age in the north in the www.Cludenpark.com.au 3yo Plate (1300m).

“This horse has taken to me to a different stratosphere as a trainer,” McLellan said.

“That was a top field at set weights and he was too good for them. He’s got to be up there at the top of the tree as far a three-year-olds go up here.

“I’ll have to be careful with him now because of what weight he might get in 3yo races. I’ll let him cool down and get over this run and map out a plan for the winter.

“It’s a good problem to have. I’ll nominate him for the Northern Jewel ($105,000) in Mackay later this month but everything will depend on what weight he gets.”

Pint-sized Cracker Essgee has been a revelation since late last year, and has now won five of his last seven starts.

But it has been his last three wins in a row on his home track that has seen the gelding emerge as one of the bright new stars of Townsville racing.

Ridden positively by Wiggins to settle fourth, Cracker Essgee navigated wide in the straight like other winners on the day to beat the fast finishing filly Deadly Diva by three-quarters of a length.

Soneymay Star also closed late to finish third ahead of Robig with the big fancies Higher Realm, Tennessee Boy and Miss Lot One in the beaten brigade.

Trainer-jockey Carl Spry has no doubts about his intentions with the undefeated Choir Boy after the gelding turned in a big finish to win the Welcome To Cluden Park 2yo Hcp (1200m) from the smart filly Husette.

Choir Boy will head straight into the $100,000 QTIS 2yo Classic (1200m) at Cluden on June 12.

“He’s pretty classy. He’s only been in my yard for eight weeks and he’s going enormous,” Spry said.

“The horse did a lot wrong but still won at his first start and today he was squeezed out early and had to come from last to win.

“He pins his ears back and reals off really fast sectionals.

“The classic will be a tough race, but he’s an exciting horse to have in the stable and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Spry rode Choir Boy to victory and backed up later in the day to win on the classy Overseas YLM Accounting B65 Hcp (1300m).

Emerald sprinter Ahwahneechee caused a stunning upset in the last, the Oracle Studio Open Hcp (1000m).

Trained by Raymond Williams and Emerald, the western sprinter used the outside section of the track to beat Our Alicia’s Lane and Full Recognition.

Pictured: Cracker of a win! Cracker Essgee in full flight winning at Cluden park yesterday.