Two chances, two equal favourites, two very different runs in the straight.
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Cameron Crockett's hopes in Friday's Montrose Mudgee Cup Day Sprint Showcase (1200m) finished the event in contrasting styles.
While Morpheus was jammed between runners and getting jostled in the middle of the track a dream run appeared along the rails for fellow $3.70 equal favourite Midsummer Rain and apprentice jockey Reece Jones.
Jones didn't need any more of an invite and rattled home to win by one-and-a-half lengths, while hard luck story Morpheus finally got some space late on and ran on for third.
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Speaking pre-race, Crockett said he was leaning towards Morpheus as the better chance but only because of his strong record at Mudgee.
The five-year-old gelding returned to the Mudgee track, one where Crockett made his name before moving to Scone, having won the Gooree Cup in August.
But the trainer was never going to write off Midsummer Rain and the four-year-old mare showed just why in the feature sprint event.
Having not long joined Crockett's stables from those of Clare Cunningham, Midsummer Rain entered Friday's race with two wins from five starts.
After the gates opened Jones got his mount away well and he settled towards the front as Plectrum ($101) and Great Buy ($12) led the way.
As the field rounded the bend for home it appeared at one point Midsummer Rain could get boxed in by Plectrum but as the Nyssa Burrells-ridden gelding began to fade the run appeared along the rails.
Jones cruised along through the gap while things were far from smooth in the middle of the track as jockey Adrian Layt and Morpheus found themselves between Great Buy and Rhythmic Pulse ($4) and unable to break clear.
Midsummer Rain's third career win finished a relatively comfortable one while the Jacob Perrett-trained Labuan Star ($15) was third.
The win was a delight for Crockett back in his home town while Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith was also celebrating early on cup day as he landed a double with Passistas and Rebel Bro.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
