This season’s standout three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) made a pleasing start to his spring preparation on Tuesday at the Cambridge Synthetic trials, closing late to finish second in his 800m heat, and he could be in for a lucrative spring preparation.
The Daniel Nakhle-bred and raced gelding won six of his seven starts this term, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m), and was runner-up in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).
“I am just proud of the horse and the way he came through it all, he just took it in his stride, nothing fazed him,” said Danny Walker, who trains the gelding in partnership with Arron Tata. “We got beaten in the last run, but he was beaten on his merits and beaten by a horse (Bonny Lass) who deserved it.”
Walker and Tata have been pleased with how Crocetti has returned, which was further enhanced following his first public outing this preparation on Tuesday.
“He is heading in the right direction,” Walker said.
“He had a really good spell, he was out for three-and-a-half months so I am mindful that when he gets back to the races, it will be six months without a race.”
Crocetti is set to return to the trials before a possible tilt at the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings in September.
“The plan is to go to the Tarzino, weather permitting,” Walker said. “I would be reluctant to run him on a heavy track. Should he not go there, he will probably go to Australia, and we are mindful that Sydney can get some wet tracks too. We just have to play the weather game.
“There are some nice races over there in the spring, but also some very good horses, so we have got to be on our game.”
One of those races is the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill in November, which is the ultimate aim for Crocetti.
“The dream has always been the Golden Eagle, but how we get there and whether we are good enough to get there is another thing,” Walker said. “I think he is good enough to try races like that but you have got to be going 100 percent.”
