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By John Curtis

Co-trainer Jason Attard has given a strong pointer to Cryptonic’s chances of doubling up on his home track at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Jason Collett is a new rider for the four-year-old in the Lander Toyota CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

Lee Magorrian was aboard when Team Attard produced Cryptonic first-up at a Saturday meeting at Wyong to win a 4YO & Up Maiden Handicap (1000m) on November 9.

Cryptonic (Lee Magorrian) lands the cash at Wyong. Image by Bradley Photographers

“The reason for the switch is that I feel the horse is city material, and I would like Jason to stick with him when he eventually goes to town,” Attard said.

“Lee has done nothing wrong and also has rides for us at the meeting.”

Cryptonic, a son of Encryption, was a $52,500 Magic Millions yearling purchase at the Gold Coast in 2022.

He has raced only four times, the first three last preparation all being on his home track where he finished second on debut in May and then fourth and fifth before being given a break.

“Cryptonic is a big horse and we have taken our time with him,” Attard said.

“He has trained on nicely since his first-up success, but I’m hoping for some rain to soften the track because of this latest spell of very hot weather.”

Cryptonic is the first foal of the Animal Kingdom mare Lausell, whose first of three career wins also was at Hawkesbury, in a 1300m Maiden Plate in October 2017.

Attard’s wife and co-trainer Lucy Keegan-Attard rode both Encryption and Laussel trackwork during her time with Godolphin.

Team Attard’s other Hawkesbury acceptors are Séance (The Lawn Shed F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1100m), Heraoin (HRC Motel Provincial Maiden Plate, 1100m), Oui Oui Oui (Pioneer Services Super 3YO Maiden Plate, 1300m), and Invaida Prince (Clarendon Tavern Class 1 Handicap, 1300m).

The cleverly-named Yes Yes Yes three-year-old Oui Oui Oui may not line up if the track is too firm.

“She is a very nice filly who ran fourth on debut at Kembla Grange earlier in the month,” Jason Attard said. “Oui Oui Oui is still another preparation away, and I’m really hoping for some rain to run her.

“Séance won on debut at home on November 7, and has done well since. She is going up to a Benchmark 64 because I couldn’t find a suitable Class 1 Handicap at the distance.

“Still, she is back against her own sex and stays at her home track. Heraoin (by Magnia Grecia) is another nice filly who has taken time to get to the races.

“She debuted at Canterbury and, after being slowly away, made ground quickly along the inside before tiring in the last 150m. She will no doubt have taken improvement from that experience, and comes back to the provincials.

“Invaida Prince was disappointing first-up at Wyong the same day Cryptonic scored, and we’re hoping he can turn in an improved performance back at home, where won over the same distance in March.”

After 11 Hawkesbury meetings so far this season, Annable Neasham and Rob Archibald (seven wins) lead the trainers’ premiership from leading local trainer Brad Widdup, James Cummings and Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou (five each).

Jay Ford and Zac Lloyd (now a senior rider) share the jockeys’ premiership lead with eight wins apiece.

The rail is in the same position as it was for last Thursday’s meeting; 3m out from the 1100m to 450m, and in the TRUE position for the remainder of the circuit.

Course manager Kyle Cassim posted a Good 4 rating at 8am today, with a penetrometer reading of 5.2. No rain has been recorded in the past week, but 5mm of irrigation was put on the track in the previous 24 hours and a total of 25mm over the past week.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Hawkesbury here