CRYPTONIC ON SONG FOR COUNTRY MUSIC RACEDAY

FRIDAY: September 4, 2026: IT’S Country Music raceday at Hawkesbury tomorrow, and Jason Attard says Cryptonic is on song to give him a new season breakthrough.

The Hawkesbury trainer has opted to stay home with the gelding for the Australian Horse Arenas Midway Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m) rather than head to town for a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap at the same distance.

“I’ve been keen to get Cryptonic to town, but I couldn’t run him from a near outside barrier,” Attard said today.

“His three runs this time back have all been good and, though I don’t usually back up my horses within a fortnight of their last run, this race is at home and looks to suit him.”

Apprentice Mitch Stapleford rode Cryptonic when fourth to all the way winner Better Late in a Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m) at the Beaumont track last Tuesday week, and has the mount again.

His 1.5k allowance lessens Cryptonic’s burden to 59.5kg on a 55kg minimum.

“Mitch has been on Cryptonic in all three runs this campaign, and I couldn’t fault any of them,” Attard said.

‘I really hope he can win on the horse tomorrow. He deserves it.”

Attard is coming off what he describes as his most satisfying season, preparing 15 winners with generally 12-13 horses in work.

“I did get 18 winners quite a few seasons back, but that was with country winners and more horses in work,” he said.

“To get 15 winners from the city and provincials was definitely my best season for sure.”

Attard also starts Cinceritas (Turfcare Provincial Maiden Plate, 1000m) and Girly Pop (BRH Steel Constructions Golden Jubilee Class 1/Maiden Plate, 1800m), and 2kg claimer Olivia Chambers rides both.

“Cinceritas is resuming and will need this run, whilst Girly Pop has been thereabouts lately,” Attard said.

“I didn’t want to bring her back in distance (placed over 2000m at Bathurst last start), but there was no other option, and she is in her right grade.”

Fellow Hawkesbury trainer Fabio Martino, buoyed by a midweek city breakthrough with Spartus at Warwick Farm two days ago, has both Substantial (Pierre Boudvillain) and All Star (Jean Van Overmeire) in Cryptonic’s race – but is yet to decide if he will start both.

All Star (Jason Collett) also is an acceptor for the 1400m Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap at Randwick tomorrow, and ironically drew the outside there (15) as well as nine out of nine at Hawkesbury.

“I’m not sure which way to go,” Martino said.

“I’ve got two good jockeys, and will give the matter further thought and sleep on it before making a decision prior to the 7.30 scratching deadline in the morning.”

Martino won races at Newcastle (1500m in May) and Kembla Grange (1400m in June) with the $1.2m yearling purchase (later onsold online for $60,000 with Spartus Bloodstock staying in him along with the trainer’s father Paolo) before the four-year-old finished fifth to The Mona Lisa (who won again) in a 1600m Midway Benchmark 72 at Randwick on July 25.

He has since won a 1250m Open trial at home on August 24.

“Irrespective of whether All Star stays at home, Substantial will definitely run,” Martino said.

“He is dropping back from recent starts in town, and definitely has a chance.”

All Star this morning was a $3.20 favorite with TAB.com.au ahead of Prince Of Sorts ($4.20), and Cryptonic and Rob and Luke Price-trained Satness, both at $5.

. The rail is 2m out from 1100m to 450m, and in the TRUE position for the remainder of the circuit.

Course manager Digby Nuthall at 7.50am today posted a “Good 4” rating. A total of 10mm of irrigation has been put on the track during the week, but no rainfall has been recorded.

The increasingly popular Country Music meeting begins at 12.44pm and concludes with the eight race at 4.55pm.