Sweet Sherry has defied a drift in betting markets to win the Listed Crockett Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley Racecourse this afternoon.
Sweet Sherry is the 2016 Crockett Stakes winner. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Sweet Sherry opened at $3 Crockett Stakes odds earlier this week but was all but forgotten by punters this morning; drifting out to a $4 quote by jump.
Steven Arnold allowed the Bel Esprit filly to stride forward from the gates and took an ideal position in transit within the field, as Overstep, Prompt Response and Blowing Kisses set the early tempo.
Arnold peeled Prompt Response to the outside of the field rounding onto the final straight and was immediately greeted with a big turn of foot as the filly swallowed up the field in the race’s dying stages; beating Prompt Response and Overstep on the line.
Arnold delivered a smart performance aboard Sweet Sherry to win the Crockett Stakes and credited trainers Leon and Troy Corstens for delivering her to the races in great order.
“She didn’t fly the barriers so I thought I would have to ride with cover,” Arnold said after the race.
“I was able to get a nice position, although I was wide. She travelled great down the side and was always going to be tough to beat.
“She was coming off a freshen-up so I didn’t want to burn her early.
“Thanks to the team – they’ve done a great job to get her back. She’s a really nice filly.”
Troy Corstens was on hand for Sweet Sherry’s win in the Crockett Stakes and revealed a shot at the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) on Zipping Classic Day will likely figure.
“Steve’s always been a terrific rider but has just missed out because of his weight, but anything we have that goes around at 56.5kgs or more, we’re more than happy to put him on,” Corstens said.
“I really thought that we could win the Thousand Guineas with her and it was really gut-wrenching when the plan went astray.
“There’s a Listed on Cup Day so we’ll have a look at that over 1400, and then we might have a look at the Sandown Guineas.”
In taking out the 2016 Crockett Stakes, Sweet Sherry has now posted three wins and a minor through eight race starts.
