Pete Uses Touch of Doherty Magic to Land 2YO Winner

Wulguru jockey-trainer Peter Cullen was quick to acknowledge the strong influence on his career by the late Jim Doherty after debutante Craicaro’s barnstorming win at Cluden Park yesterday.

Cullen rode countless winners in the 1980s and 90s for Doherty, a master trainer of two-year-olds, and said he owed a debt of gratitude to the veteran mentor who died in 2012.

“I picked up a hell of a lot from Jim and follow what he did with my own horses,” Cullen said.

“He was a master with young ones. I learnt so much through riding horses like Jira Prince and Lucky Friend who were brilliant two-year-olds. 

“He was a big influence on what I do.”

Craicaro, a filly by Press Statement, appreciated the soft track conditions and strong speed to storm over the top of her opposition for jockey Pietro Romeo to win the Hygain QTIS 2YO Mdn Hcp (1000m).

Named after her late owner and long-time stable client Craig Dietrich, and his wife Carol, Craicaro was purchased through the same Sydney connection that secured good gallopers Buster Block and Carlino’s Way for the stable.

Cullen said the filly had shown promise from the time she was broken in.

“I sent her to Cameron Bond in Toowoomba to break in and he said he was more than happy with her. Leeanne McCoy who rode here and was on her when she got her barrier ticket down there said ‘you‘ve got a good horse there. So we were getting all the right vibes,” Cullen said.

“I said to the owner that on her work she’s got to be a big chance today.

“I’ll have a look in the book and see what’s coming up for her, but there’s no hurry and she’ll tell me when she’s ready.”

Later on the rain-soaked program, Charters Towers trainer Darby Amos landed his first Cluden win when roughie Cat In The Raine caused a boil-over in the Trackside Photography 0-55 Hcp (1200m).

“Her biggest problem has been her rating and hopefully with that and some more points she can get a run in her own grade. She’s been frustrating and a nightmare for punters,” Amos said.

“She’s always shown the ability with good placings. She ran second here one day in an open handicap to Love Is Blind but she just hasn’t been able to get there.

“She’s always shown she has a good turn of foot and today she showed that she hasn’t lost it. Hopefully she can go on with it.”

Amos, who is planning a shift to Home Hill, also finished third with honest galloper Broadwater in the other division of the 0-55 Hcp.

Meanwhile, Cluden Park Chairman Malcolm Petrofski praised the wet weather qualities of the track after the bumper nine-event card was run despite constant rain and a huge deluge late in the day.

“Once again the track was fantastic in very trying conditions. Any other surface would have struggled to get through the day with the sort of rain we received,” Mr Petrofski said.

“The large number of entries across nine races for this time of year showed just how strong the racing industry in the Townsville region is.

“Racing supports hundreds of jobs and makes a significant contribution to the Townsville economy.

“That’s why we are pulling out all stops to gain Government and Racing Queensland support to invest in on-course stabling and a major upgrade of the work track to support the further growth of racing in the city.

“That’s the only thing holding us back.”

Pictured: Craicaro after his win with trainer Peter Cullen and jockey Pietro Romeo. 

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