Hawkesbury preview: SKY News host Tim Gilbert is living his Racing Dream with promising youngster Cryptonic

SKY News host Tim Gilbert is living out his own ‘Racing Dream’ at the moment with the lightly-raced and promising colt Cryptonic who goes around at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Cryptonic (left) finishing a close second to Setombe on debut at Hawkesbury and is striving to go one better this week. Picture: Bradley Photos

SKY’S Racing Dreams co-host Tim Gilbert is living one of his own at the moment and it’s all thanks to a grandson of Lonhro called Cryptonic who lines up for only the second time at his home track at Hawkesbury.

Gilbert, together with Julie Snook, bring other people’s racing dreams to light each Saturday morning on Sky News during the autumn and spring carnivals.

Gilbert has raced a ‘few’ horses before, the best so far being Echo Jet closely followed by Prince Nicconi.

“I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but he is potentially the best one,” Gilbert said.

“I am no absolute expert but he has got a certain bit of magic about him.

Setombe flashes home for a good win at @hawkesburyrc today for Team @godolphin!@JamesCummings88pic.twitter.com/L7l7835ZcL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2024

“He trialled really well before his first start which was on a Heavy 8 and he was only run down in the last stride by a very good horse of Godolphin’s (Setombe).”

Racing immortal Phar Lap was beaten in a 1000m Maiden at Hawkesbury before winning two Derbies and claiming the Melbourne Cup the following year.

Gilbert isn’t looking beyond Thursday but would obviously love to one day feature Cryptonic on his show.

“It would be the ultimate professional and personal racing dream if he could kick on and win a big race in a carnival but what do they say: ‘inch by inch is a cinch, a mile by mile is a trial’.

“That’s why Racing Dreams is such an easy program to do because I know it’s true. I know having had horses and being involved, there’s not highs every minute but if you get involved with a group of friends and watch the journey, racing dreams do come true.”

Cryptonic, a son of the Black Opal winner Encryption, is trained at Hawkesbury by Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard.

Zerkhan surged across the line today to break his maiden under a well-timed ride from @keaganlatham at Hawkesbury 💥 congratulations to his fantastic owners and our dedicated team at home 🥂🥂 pic.twitter.com/CyD5kXj6Lf

— John P Thompson (@JTRacingRwik) April 18, 2024

“We have got an opinion of the horse,” Keegan-Attard said.

“He is a really good-looking rooster.

“I had dealings with Encryption when I was riding at Godolphin and I used to ride the dam, Laussel, so I knew both of them and there compatibility with one who is short, stocky, close-coupled in the sire and the then an athletic strong, rangy mare as she was and they have produced almost the perfect progeny in him.”

The Attard stable will also be represented at home by the lightly-raced Proceed who lines-up in the Pinnacle Office Supplies Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1800m).

The son of 2013 Hong Kong Cup winner Akeed Mofeed has so far only managed one third from his eight starts but has seemingly been crying out for an opportunity to race beyond a mile.

“He was jolly unlucky last start and was only beaten a length and a half or so he was up there with them,” Keegan-Attard said.

“He is really fit. I don’t want to put the mock on him, but it looks like he should be able to get the job done on this race.”

MIRFIN QUIETLY CONFIDENT STABLE FAVOURITE CAN GO BACK-TO-BACK

Bathurst trainer Dean Mirfin was thrilled to see stable favourite De Forerunner break through for a well-deserved win last start and feels he is nicely placed to go back-to-back.

The five-year-old showed his versatility when dropping back from 1400m to 1100m when he stalked the leaders before racing to a length win from Allay and Destiny’s Bounty at Mudgee 18 days ago.

“We thought he would have won a couple more races by now, he has been close a few times, but it was good to see him finally break through,” said Mirfin.

“Aaron (Bullock) said he is a nice horse and had the race won a long way from home. He had his ears pricked on the line.

“He has come through that run very well and he’s ready to race again.

“I thought he was very unlucky the start before in the Soldier’s Saddle at Bathurst. I feel he probably should have won that day.

“He just got too far back and that is completely against his racing pattern.

De Forerunner closes the day at @MudgeeRaceClub with a win, giving @Aaronbullock90 a double! pic.twitter.com/Z58VRzQjwK

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 12, 2024

“We thought he did a great job to finish third under the circumstances then he came out his next start and won so there is an argument that he should have won his last two starts.”

De Forerunner steps back up to 1400m this week when he lines-up in the Benchmark 74 Handicap and Mirfin has no concern with the jump back up in trip.

“To be a good country horse, they need to be versatile and adapt to the changes up and down in distance he said.

“He does look well placed this week and Wellington should suit him.

“He has a tricky draw but has a very good rider on in Mathew Cahill.

“The horse does have good gate speed and tactical brains too so he will either lead or sit off the speed, it doesn’t really matter with him.”

Mirfin isn’t as confident about the chances of stablemate Bulla Vinaka in the Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap (1400m).

“My query is the Wellington track. I’m not sure it will suit him with his racing pattern to get well back but Mat (Cahill) will give him every chance and hopefully they can be in a position at the top of the straight to be competitive,” he said.

Mirfin was disappointed with the gelding’s first-up sixth at Cootamundra but put it down the firm track.

“He has come through the run well and is nice and bright,” he said.

“He’s a horse with plenty of ability though so we are going there hoping he runs well.”

- Additional story by Adam Sherry

Originally published as Hawkesbury preview: SKY News host Tim Gilbert is living his Racing Dream with promising youngster Cryptonic