Victorian apprentice Rhagan Cross continued a successful comeback to race riding with a winning double at Elwick on Sunday. Cross was successful on Laurenstar and Skip To The Moon, both trained by Rhonda Hall. After serving the early part of her apprenticeship in Tasmania with Spreyton trainer Leon Wells, and enjoying considerable success, Cross returned home but had a major setback in February 2013. She broke her pelvis, hip and leg in a trackwork fall at Pakenham.
“It’s been a long haul back but everything is looking good now,” she said. Cross’s first winner, Laurenstar, was one of the best-backed runners all day and never gave her supporters any cause for concern.
She travelled strongly in front and had three lengths to spare at the finish as she cruised home ahead of Isn’t Life Strange and Meconsul.
Skip To The Moon also scored a comfortable win over favourite Dollar Dan and Koutoufides, much to Hall’s relief.
The trainer said that six-year-old mare had battled “a few issues” and her staff had put many hours into getting her right.
It was a big day for female trainers, with Alana Fulton also preparing a double with Northern Lady and Vandermeer (both ridden by Anthony Darmanin) and Christine Crook (Little Sheeka) and Tegan Keys (Minute Repeater) also leading in winners.
Fulton’s double completed a successful fortnight as she won the $25,000 Tapeta Park Distance Final at Spreyton the previous Sunday with Landstar.
from Greg Mansfield (Examiner)