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Button hoping for third time lucky in Rocky feature

12 April 2019

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By Glenn Davis

Leading Rockhampton trainer Tom Button is hoping it will be third time lucky as he strives to win the Capricorn Yearling Sales Classic at Callaghan Park on Saturday.

Button has won the past three trainers’ premierships in Rockhampton and is a runaway leader again in his bid for a fourth title.

Button has tried to win the $125,000 feature for the past two seasons but the closest he came was in his first attempt with The Bank Manager who went down in a photo to Stylish Criminal.

This year, Button is relying on The Bank Manager’s full brother The Stockbroker, who has drawn widely in gate 16 and Flying Crackerjak who drew perfectly in two.

“It’s a race I dearly want to win,” Button said.

“The Bank Manager was beaten a half head in my first attempt then last year I ran third, fourth and fifth.”

Button believes the barriers have made it difficult for him to choose between his two runners.

“I really like The Stockbroker as he’s been one of the best two-year-olds all season,” he said.

“He hasn’t had everything go his way in his four runs this time in but he’s doing everything right.

“But the alley is a worry. It’s going to be very hard to win from out there.

“I don’t think I’d like to separate them now after Flying Crackerjak drew so well.”

The Stockbroker, a Chris Whiteley mount, is still a maiden but has run second on two occasions this campaign including a last start effort behind the Peter Fleming-trained Boss Baby in a maiden at Mackay on April 5.

In contrast, Flying Crackerjak ran fourth on debut at Rockhampton in February before winning his maiden on his home track in mid-March.

“His maiden win was quite good and he's improved a lot after his first run,” Button said.

“A few of the more fancied runners in the race like Natalie McCall’s The Sinner and Tony Gollan’s Pull Anchor have drawn wide.

“The topweight Tycoon Flyer has won more prizemoney than anything else and he’s also drawn badly.

“I think The Sinner will be one of the favorites along with Pull Anchor but my pair will both be good chances.”

Racing Queensland webnews   April 12