King Cratos Creating A Big Impression

UNBEATEN youngster King Cratos will be out to maintain his perfect record when he steps out in race four at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night for trainer Jason Magri.

Four from four to launch a career that's spiraling on an upward trajectory, King Cratos made his Wentworth Park debut a winning one last Saturday night, leading all-the-way in a slick 29.89, less than a length outside the best time of the program.

A previous winner at Bulli over the 472m in an electrifying 26.17, the son of Sh Avatar and Zipping Rose has looked hugely impressive at each of his four career victories, with Saturday night's debut city success coming on the back of three stylish Bulli performances.

"He's showing all the signs of being a very good young dog but it's a bit early to tell how good, he still has to go on with it," said Magri on Tuesday.

"He's still learning what it's all about but I liked what I saw Saturday night. In his early pre-training with me he went 30.0-something at his first look at Wenty and he has gone 17.80 in a box-to-box – the dog can really run, he has great mid-race speed."

On Wednesday, King Cratos elevates in class yet again, the rising two-year old tackling some established gallopers, including the classy Embye (box 2), along with Zipping Blitz (box 1) and Fantastic Axel (box 3), the trio boasting more than handy overall records for their respective trainers.

"I like him out in box eight and the black (Topper Soho) should give him a nice drag across early, everything I've thrown his way so far he's handled," assessed Magri.

"He just keeps stepping it up which is what you want to see from young dogs. He broke-in well, Troy Vella did some early work with him and gave him good reports, and at his first 300 at Richmond for me he went 18.60."

Kemps Creek based Magri, who has enjoyed a sensational past 12 months with the collar and lead, lining up 287 starters for a remarkable 109 winners at a strike-rate of 38%, also heads to the races this Wednesday evening with the smart Wicked Thunder, an imposing 13 ¼ length victor at headquarters on Saturday night in 30.04.

Winner at four his 10 appearances, the son of Barcia Bale and Bit Sassy made full use of box one at the weekend in fifth grade company as an odds-on favourite, with Wednesday's task appearing a vastly different scenario, drawing wide in box seven in free for all grade.

"He really needs the fence this dog, he can play up in the kennels too so there's a bit against him Wednesday but he's going well," added Magri.

With the Group 2 Bulli Gold Plate Series (472m) just a little over a week away, Magri is tickled pink with the race track return of his ultra-talented sprinter Catch Me Curly, victorious at Bulli the past two weekend's in a best of program 26.31 and 26.16.

Off the scene since last September, the son of Djay's Octane and Pie Thief has proven himself as one of NSW's best gallopers when at his peak, with Magri confident his star charge is ready to measure up in the $40,000 to-the-winner series, which kicks off Saturday week.

"I'd love a kennel full like him," enthused Magri.

"He did a wrist last September and I tried to get him back for the Million Dollar race but the ligament was soft and kept pulling up sore. We put him away for 2 ½ months and since returning he hasn't looked back.

"He's found basically a tenth at each trial back and has gone great the past two weeks. He's a great chaser and terrific around the kennels – he'll go to the Bulli Cup heats next week in great form."

Magri also gave an update on talented litter-mates Zipping Falcon and Zipping Mitzy.

"Zipping Falcon hurt himself last start and Zipping Mitzy is just back in work now – I'm aiming them towards the Derby and Oaks at Richmond next month so at the moment that's the plan with the two of them."