Crippa kicks a goal at Albion Park

Tough-as-teak three-year-old Crippa Max, named after Australian Rules star Patrick Cripps, made rather a notable debut to his Queensland career when he outgunned an intermediate grade field at Albion Park on Friday night (June 19).

Starting from the outside No. 7 gate, the Captaintreacherous gelding was caught on a limb three deep for the first 600 metres before working forward to race upsides with the leader at the bell.

He gradually gained the upper hand in the dying stages to win by 1.3 metres in a career-best 1:54.1 rating over 1660 metres.

It was his third success from five starts.

Bred by Breckon Farms, Crippa Max is out of the former NZ 2YO Filly and 4YO Mare of the Year and NZ mares’ mile record holder Elle Mac. He was knocked down for $130,000 at the NZB National Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2024.

On the same night, He’s Not That Into U, a three-year-old gelding bred by Breckon Farms, came from a conspicuous second last at the bell to notch his second win at Cambridge Raceway.

The Bettor’s Delight gelding rated 1:57.5 for 2200 metres with the last 800 in 58.9 seconds racing three deep.

He is the first foal of the three-win Art Major mare Settle Petal, the dam also of the two-year-old Lucky Luka, an impressive winner at its second outing at Cambridge a fortnight earlier.

He’s Not That Into U was a $60,000 purchase at the 2024 Karaka auction.

Another Breckon Farms graduate, Vettel (American Ideal-Talks To Angels) posted win No. 62 and improved his stake earnings to almost $700,000 winning a $9,000 Claimer at Hoosier Park, Indiana in 1:52.8.