Offyarocka Crocker lands the Pot of Gold.

Much travelled gelding Offyarocka Crocka (Art Major) scored his most important harness racing win when he took out the inaugural $25,000 Kevin and Kay Seymour South Australia Pot of Gold Final at Globe Derby night.

In a wide open race where the barrier draw was all important, equal favourite Offyarocka Crocka’s driver Samantha Hill drove vigorously but could not head off pole marker Buzz Bomb. Major Icon from barrier 3 was caught wide early and driver Jason Kittel had no option but to end back at the rear of the field.

OFFYAROCKA CROCKER 22 FEB REPLAY POT OF GOLD FINAL

In the meantime co favourite John Vincent was able to secure a perfect one out and one back trail. The field was tightly packed at the bell with Always Steamed Up making a run three wide.

Offyarocka Crocka gained the lead on straightening and in a desperate finish held off the fast finishing Euro Beat by a head with Always Steamed Up a neck away in third.

Samantha Hill was not certain that she had lasted.

“I wasn’t sure at the finish. I was hoping to be in the lead or close to as there were many in the heats that I thought would be prominent and I was worried that some runners late would get him.”

“He’s a very funny horse. He moves around a lot and you have to let him do what he wants to do. Sometimes he’ll hang in or pull hard, he likes to be the boss.”

“The plan is to go to the Heats of the Mount Gambier Gold Cup this Tuesday night”. We’ll race him lightly”.

Offyarocka Crocka is raced by Gary Crocker who raced the dam Aratusa Lass who won 18 races with a fastest time of 1.57.1. At Stud Aratusa Lass has been a prolific winning broodmare with 10 of her progeny all winners including the million dollar pacer Major Crocker, Adam Crocker and Eve Crocker.

As a youngster Offyarocka Crocka showed great promise and was at one stage in the stables of Emma Stewart. The gelding has been moved around the country but now looks as if he may have found his niche with Samantha Hill.

Currently Samantha is training around 20 horses and with a good spread of talent she is optimistic for the future.

Last night’s running of the Pot of Gold was a success for Globe Derby and South Australia Harness Racing. The introduction of some more high stakes races will undoubtedly give a much needed boost for the profile of the sport.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink