I'm A Cracker showed he is just that - 'a cracker' - at Armidale on Sunday as the four-year old made it two wins from three starts when powering away to an almost three-length win in the Locals 4 Locals Armidale Class 1 Handicap (1100m).
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Coming off a disappointing sixth last start at Scone after winning first-up at Gunnedah, the Luke Morgan-trained gelding was simply too good.
Speaking with Sky Thoroughbred Central pre-race Morgan was a bit worried about the weight he was carrying - he was giving most of the field four kilos - but said he was "well enough" and was expecting him to be there abouts.
With Rachael Murray aboard, I'm A Cracker jumped well and made the running for most of the journey. He was challenged with around 400m to go but kicked clear in the straight and never looked like being run down.
Morgan said it was a nice win.
"It always pays to be on the speed in front, blinkers first time I think worked really well," he said.
Explaining the decision to put the blinkers on before the race, he said he is "a bit of a goofy sort of bugger".
"You just never know, one day he wants to lay in and lay out and sort of run around a bit, so I'm hoping this sort of switches him on a little bit," he said.
He said the win at Gunnedah was good but conceded he was probably too easy on him after it.
"He was three-and-a-half weeks between runs (Gunnedah and Scone) and I was reasonably disappointed but I knew there was a little bit there so it was good to see him do it today," he said.
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Also bouncing back from a disappointing last run was the Craig Clegg-trained Blinkin Legend in the Locals 4 Locals Armidale Benchmark 58 Handicap (1100m) - the last race on the program.
The bay mare had got into a bit of trouble last start at Armidale (March 29) but was too strong for them on Sunday.
"Last start here she tracked into the race and the horse nearly fell in front of her," Clegg told Sky Thoroughbred Central after the race.
"Prior to that she's raced very well at Armidale. She's a track record holder here over 1100m."
"She needed a couple of runs back."
Clegg, who also owns the five-year old, said he was quietly confident she would run a nice race.
After getting away quickly, Rory Hutchings settled her around fifth before taking the outside line around the final corner and surging to the front with around 150m to go.
Ruby Two Shoes (Allan Foran) was flashing home on the outside but Blinkin Legend held her off for a half length win.
Clegg said he might look to throw her in at Tamworth this Sunday, maybe in the John Clift Memorial or another similar race.
