LIGHTLY raced two-year-old pacer Origin Cronk signaled his arrival as a genuine feature race winner when he stormed home to win the Dandy Patch Prelude for two-year-old colts and geldings at UBET Park Hobart on Monday night.
Origin Cronk produced a barnstorming finish to outgun the classy Hillview Jake and Ryley Major in what was clearly the winner’s best effort.
Hillview Jake began well from the outside of the second row and trainer-driver Paul Hill had the gelding fourth turning out of the home straight the first time.
Hill then sent his charge scurrying around the field to fond the lead and he looked to have the race safely in his keeping when he bounded well clear for the run home.
Ryley Major ran on gamely but was always struggling to pick up the leader but Origin Cronk was strong over the concluding stages and grabbed victory in the shadows of the post.
Origin Cronk (Cardmaster Hanover-Arabella Lombo) was coming off a win at his previous start and that confidence-boosting victory has the Phil Mascall-trained gelding in the right frame of mind to tackle the Dandy Patch final in Hobart on Sunday week.
Hillview Jake will no doubt be improved by the outing as will the third placegetter Ryley Major with that trio likely to be the main contenders in the final.
Origin Cronk showed good ability at his first two outings and with the exception of a first-up fifth he has been very competitive.