CROFT BREAKS THROUGH AT CANBERRA

SUNDAY: April 27, 2025: HAWKESBURY trainer Terry Croft broke new ground with his first Canberra winner yesterday.

And he pulled the right ren – though not specifically by design – in heading to the nation’s capital to saddle Rainagain ($4.80), who took the Class 1 Handicap (1300m).

Croft also had Starros ($16) resuming at Royal Randwick, where the five-year-old finished sixth to $1.80 favorite Sunrise in the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m).

The trainer’s wife Roslyn and son Shane race $7000 yearling buy Starros, who has won four races; two of them when resuming.

“Because Shane is in Starros, I left him go to Randwick and I went to Canberra,” Croft said today.

Ridden by Billy Owen, who declared 1kg overweight at 58.5kg, Rainagain defeated Miss Emma ($6) and Kembla Grange trainer Joe Ible’s Sturty ($4.80).

Croft is the Charge Forward gelding’s third trainer, having previously been with Blake Fitzpatrick and Mitch Beer.

He took him over last year, and has now prepared him for both his career victories.

Rainagain broke through in a 1300m Orange Maiden last September after placings at Bathurst and Tuncurry.

“Rainagain is no champion, but he was in the right race at Canberra,” Croft said.

“I’ve had a few placings on the course proper, so it was nice to break through.”

Rainagain, bred by one of his owners, was Croft’s only runner at the Canberra meeting – and his seventh winner this season.

He decided on a gear change with the gelding at the start of this campaign.

Croft removed the Norton bit, and substituted a cross-over nose band.