20 July 2010


Crossley always showed plenty of ability in Australia, so much so that the lucrative Asian market came calling for the then three-year-old.

Now racing in Macau as Crown Indicator, the son of Elvstroem is fast making an impression with a win and a second from his only strats.

Last Saturday, Crown Indicator was sent out a $2.6 favourite in light of his good second placing in the Lisboa Challenge on debut.

Given the run of the race by Manoel Nunes from barrier four, Crown Indicator quickened up like a very smart horse to dart through on the inside of the pace maker Best Treasure at the 200m to race away and win easily from Clown Master with Jylland in third.

Trainer Kim Cheong has a big opinion of Crown Indicator who is raced by his long time client Mr Tam Vai Lam, who purchased the three year old gelding from Australia on the advice of a friend.

“Mr Tam was recommended the horse after he ran second at Moonee Valley in Melbourne.” Cheong said. “We were lucky that he did not win that race otherwise we would not have been able to buy him.”

Cheong revealed that his original plan with Crown Indicator was to win the Lisboa Challenge first up, but a three week delay in the shipment arriving curtailed his plans.

“I knew I had one of the best three year olds in Macau, but with the shipment being delayed three weeks it meant the horse was only about 70 % ready for that race.”

Cheong is in no rush with the son of former Champion Australian racehorse Elvstroem stating that the horse will probably not race again until the end of August, then embark on a long range plan with the Derby in mind.

“The Derby next season is our plan if he continues to do well.”