John Croucher was overjoyed with the victory of Prance’N’Dance at Morphettville Parks, the trainer’s first winner at the races in more than 3½ years.
Dom Tourneur rides Prance’N’Dance to victory at Morphettville Parks. Picture: Atkins Photography
Emotions flowed for trainer John Croucher, wife Dianne and a host of syndicate members as their promising two-year-old Prance’N’Dance ($7) saluted in a 1000m Class 1 at Morphettville on Saturday, Croucher’s first win since July 2018.
Bought at last year’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sales for $18,000 and broken in by the Crouchers, the winner was ridden to perfection by Dom Tourneur and roared on by a vocal group of syndicate members and supporters from the stands and lawns.
Croucher, whose last winner was with Last Witness at the Parks track in July 2018, said it was a huge thrill to watch his horse get home at her second start – driving hard late to get over Biographer and Forager in third place.
“We haven’t had a lot of luck with buying horses online so to have a winner like this one which we bought and then broke in was a big thrill. The horse has a great temperament and is easy to handle,’’ Croucher said.
“Dianne straps the horse down the track about 5.30 in the morning. And our son Simon is the syndicator for our horses, so it is a real family connection.
“We usually have three (horses) in work but we threw out two so this is the only one at the moment. She might go for something like the Cinderella Stakes but we will enjoy this one first.’’
Prance ‘N’ Dance scores nicely with @domjock aboard, and claims a nice #RacingRewardsSA bonus in the process 👠pic.twitter.com/KoMqfTS3kJ
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) February 5, 2022
Croucher’s biggest win as a trainer came in the Bagot Handicap at Flemington on New Year’s Day in 2010 when Atlantic Air won with former jockey Danny Nikolic on board.
Apprentice Campbell Rawiller brought up his first metro win in South Australia in thrilling fashion when Brimarvi Vehero ($4.40) stormed home to edge out tearaway leader Spanish Heirloom on the line in a Benchmark 76 over 1000m.
Giving the leader at least six lengths start on the turn, Brimarvi Vehero made it seven wins and 18 placings from 35 starts, a win also for trainer Sam Burford.
The Tony McEvoy/Calvin McEvoy and Barend Vorster combo wasted little time in making their presence felt when the progressive Night Passage ($5) finished strongly to take out the opening event, a Benchmark 82 over 1400m.
Sitting off the early pace, Night Passage made it two wins in a row to account for the strongly supported Japery and Titan Blinders.
The McEvoys were back in the winner’s stall when Strike Eagle ($6), ridden by Victorian rider Madison Lloyd, held off Vain Fox and The Map to take out a Benchmark 60 over 1250m.
The race was an all-apprentice finish with 3kg claimers Lloyd, Campbell Rawiller and Ben Price taking out the trifecta.
Night Passage gets us going at @SAJockeyClub for the @mcevoymitchell team 🧡💙🤠pic.twitter.com/S7OGinOXfc
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) February 5, 2022
The stable’s treble and double for Lloyd came up in the final race, a Benchmark 64 over 1400m, when Yulong Justify ($2.05fav) proved too strong after sitting three wide with some cover down the back straight.
Skycall ($5), ridden a bold race in front by Kayla Crowther, rewarded her patient connections and trainer Will Clarken by winning a Benchmark 68 over 1550m, her first victory since saluting at Wagga in October 2018.
Crowther chalked up a double when Quietly Discreet ($2.80fav) proved too strong in a Benchmark 64 over 1000m, also providing the Phillip Stokes stable a double with Lady Dunmore winning.
Oath of Omerta ($2.90fav) showed that a short back up from winning three days earlier at Murray Bridge was no hindrance by making it two victories in a row in a Benchmark 72 over 2250m.
Trained by Michael Hickmott and ridden in style by Jess Eaton the winner finished too well for All Hard Wood and Stealthy Lucas.
Originally published as Morphettville Parks: Prance’N’Dance ends lean run for trainer John Croucher
Keyword: Morphettville Parks: Prance’N’Dance ends lean run for trainer John Croucher