Racing: Talented youngster shows no ill effects of last-to-first victory

Crusoe looked to have a gut-buster winning at Te Rapa last Saturday - Richard Collett says he didn't.

Collett is delighted with the way the talented youngster came out of his gutsy last-to-first victory and has no worries about backing him up in tomorrow's $35,000 Champagne Stakes at the Auckland Racing Club's meeting at Te Aroha.

"He's come through it really well. He's eaten up everything since and he'll be spot on for this race."

Collett gave Reese Jones specific riding instructions to take Crusoe back to the tail of the field at Te Rapa.

"Lisa Cropp rode him at Ellerslie at his previous start and she rides on a long rein. He got racing keenly and didn't come back to her, so I told Reese to ride him cold. Looking back on the Ellerslie race now, I might have had him a touch too fresh."

The handsome Crusoe looked no chance to win with 100m left last week and managed to thrust his head in front in the last two strides.

"What made it tougher was that they went slow early and sprinted home. He had to do double time from the 600m.

"This race wasn't on our original plan, but it's a decent stake, it's a $15,000 bonus race and we've got to put him in the paddock at some stage so he can go out after this one."

On last week's effort there should be no trouble with Crusoe jumping from 1200m to 1500m.

Waikeepadacash is another who should appreciate the distance increase. He turned in a top effort to flash home for second to Pulcinella at Ellerslie last start.