Racing: Cropp wants Joint Effort to compete at Ellerslie

Matthew Cropp hunts Joint Effort over an early hurdle on their way to victory yesterday. Photo / Supplied

Cambridge jockey Matthew Cropp had his biggest thrill in racing when partnering Joint Effort to an emphatic win in the $57,500 Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton yesterday and said the mare could go and win the Great Northern Hurdles as well.

"I think we will be unbeaten in that, too," said an ecstatic Cropp, a nephew of former top jockey Lisa Cropp, after recording his fourth win in as many attempts on Joint Effort.

Winning trainer Allan Stalker, from Mossburn in Northern Southland, would not be drawn on the Great Northern plan immediately after the race, saying he wanted to take the mare home to "chill out" before making a decision.

But Cropp, 18, said he understood the Northern was on the agenda and he would be making every effort to persuade Stalker to make the trip to Auckland for the big race.

Cropp rode a cool race, letting Joint Effort find her feet in fourth place, as Magic Man, General Mac and Ho Down set a strong pace early in the gruelling 4200m test on a heavy track.

The event changed considerably when Solid Steal and favourite Waitaha Toa strode to the lead at the 800m, but Solid Steal made a hash of the fourth-last fence and Cropp let Joint Effort stride forward as she became the only rival to Waitaha Toa and jockey Jonathan Riddell.

"I outjumped Jonathan at the third-last and she just kept pulling away. She struggled over the second-last and I had a look behind me and she was a fair way in front and all we had to do was jump the last. She did that and she just kept going.

"It was outstanding, she just tried so hard. It's an amazing feeling to have won the National."

Joint Effort won by 22 lengths from an exhausted Waitaha Toa, with 10 lengths back to Clarence and just under six lengths back to Solid Steal, who battled on well. "He extinguished his chances at the fourth-last," said Solid Steal's rider Isaac Lupton.

Cropp, who works at trainer Ralph Manning's Waikato stable, contacted renowned jumps jockey Craig Thornton, before the race, seeking his advice.

"He told me to ride her the way I felt was best, and to let her go to sleep in the run. When I positioned her on the inside off the leaders, she did just that and when she pulled away from Waitaha Toa I could just not believe it."

Cropp turned to jumps riding after weight ended an undistinguished career on the flat. He had his first win in a hurdle at Matamata two years ago.

It was also the biggest win for Stalker, who said the National became a real chance after Joint Effort's win in the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) on Saturday. "We decided to try the 4200m and see if she got the next step.

"She did it well, it's the biggest thrill we have ever had."

Stalker and wife Judy own Joint Effort with breeders Stuart and Sue Murray, of Auckland.

The couples met through their sons, who were studying to become veterinarians at Massey University.

None of the nine starters fell, though early leader Magic Man was later pulled up.

- NZPA