CROFT GETS ANOTHER "BIG" GRAFTON RESULT

THURSDAY: July 18, 2024: TERRY Croft won the first ever Big Maiden when it was introduced at Grafton’s July carnival in 2013.

Eleven years later the Hawkesbury trainer was back there today to do it again – this time with another three-year-old filly.

Croft was successful in 2013 with Catseye Surprise (Christian Reith), who had been placed four times (including two in town) from eight starts but had not raced for seven months.

Whilst he prepared her with two trials to score first-up at Grafton, he needed to give Hot Jive only the one trial – which she won at Hawkesbury on July 8 – as she had a brief freshen-up after racing at home on May 30.

Croft paid only $7000 for the daughter of Star Witness at the 2022 Inglis Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association yearling sale in Sydney.

She was having her 14th start (after five placings) and ran right up to her trial last week in breaking through in the $50,000 Big Super Maiden Showcase Plate (1175m).

Alysha Collett rode Hot Jive ($4.60) in the trial, and gave her a beaut ride today, sitting back in the second half of the field before launching out in the centre of the track in the straight.

She sustained a strong run to defeat Kembla Grange trainer Paul Murray’s debutante Harry’s Bar ($3.80 favorite).

“Alysha was always very confident after riding her in the trial,” Croft said this evening.

“Hot Jive probably got to the front a bit too early, but it was good to win that race again.

“She has always shown plenty of ability, but at the same time has had a tendency to loose the plot.

“She was good in the saddling enclosure today before going out onto the track.”

Croft, who heads home tomorrow for Hawkesbury’s final meeting of the season on Sunday, went close to a Grafton carnival double.

Last year’s $91 Grafton Guineas placegetter Gallic Fox ($7) was narrowly beaten yesterday by another Hawkesbury representative, Edward O’Rourke’s Twin Turbo ($5), in the Class 2 Showcase Plate (1600m).