Racing: Takemybreathaway's win right on cue

There are some very appropriate moments in horse racing.

Takemybreathaway's narrow defeat of favourite Aukay threw up one at Ellerslie yesterday.

The victory, on Ellerslie Legends' Day, was in the D.J. O'Sullivan Salver, the legend himself presenting the trophy to part owner Stuart Murray.

In receiving the magnificent crystal vase, the owner, father of Shikoba's owner Micaela Murray, told the story that Dave O'Sullivan was responsible for him being in horse racing, even though the pair had not officially met until yesterday.

"Ten years ago, or it could even have been 15 years, my wife talked me into going on a breeders tour of studs and stables.

"Dave, your stable was the last of the visit and the speech you gave was so inspiring to me. It was fabulous.

"If it hadn't been for that I doubt I would be involved in racing today."

Which means Shikoba would not have eventuated.

O'Sullivan came back with: "Did I tell that many lies?"

Dave O'Sullivan learned something else yesterday, who Takemybreathaway's trainer Toni Croon is.

In his official speech, O'Sullivan said: "So you're Toni Croon. I've been retired for nearly eight years now and so many new faces have appeared and yours is one of them."

Croon said later: "I only hope I can end up half the trainer Dave O'Sullivan was."

She's at least heading in the right direction.

Croon has an impressive strike rate with her horses - this was her sixth season win with just 15 horses - for someone who has had a trainer's licence for only three years.

The 30-something Croon has nothing like the horse background of most professional trainers.

She grew up on the Chatham Islands, was involved in the fishing business for several years and then ran the Hotel Chathams for a decade before her move north to Ardmore five years ago.

Lisa Cropp rode a well-judged race, putting the pressure on the leader Pay The Believers, who was travelling well in front at the 600m.

Cropp had Takemybreathaway in front with hot favourite Aukay a fair way astern halfway down the running and punched the mare out to hold on by a long neck.

Trentham visitor Tony Lawrey upset the favourites when he got Rat Tat home to take the C.M. Jillings Cup in his second start in 48 hours.

Lawrey decided to run Rat Tat when he showed signs of being too fat when he finished fourth behind Fluffy Duck on Saturday.

Lawrey loved the win because: "It's nice to win a race with that name on the trophy", and Jillings thought it appropriate because owner Ron Cunningham is a friend.