CROFT’S GIANT-KILLER “BEACHES” FAVORITE PUNTERS

TERRY Croft wasn’t confident Tides Turning would leave punters “beached” at home today – but wasn’t totally surprised either with her giant-killing performance.

The $81 rank outsider of the seven-horse field, Tides Turning upset Kurrinda Bloodstock’s resuming $1.45 hotpot Gorgeous in the TAB Agents Association of NSW Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

Hawkesbury trainer Croft and talented apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald aren’t strangers to winning races together, though of course no one was declaring the mare given her lengthy odds.

“Tides Turning is a jump and go forward type filly,” Croft said this evening.

“She won her Maiden at home last July over the 1000m, and has continued to race well this campaign.

“Tides Turning was placed first-up at Grafton (1040m) in February and then at Kembla Grange (1000m) in March, and didn’t quite get the 1200m last time when fourth at Port Macquarie.

“She was going to run second until the last bit, and just missed third placing.

“Tides Turning had 58kg that day after the 3kg allowance and, with Mollie’s claim today, dropped to 53.5kg.

“Of course I didn’t think she could beat the favorite, but this was the first time she was back at home since winning last July, and the 1000m suited her perfectly.

“I expected her to run well, and some of her owners had nice wins at the big price.”

Croft always has a keen eye for a bargain, and picked the now Flying Artie four-year-old up for $22,000 at the 2023 Inglis HTBA yearling sale in Sydney.

Her dam, the Testa Rossa mare Catseye Surprise (out of Catseye Beach, hence Turning Tides), was prepared by Croft.

He won four races with her, including the Big Maiden at the Grafton carnival, a Canterbury midweek and Queen of the North at Port Macquarie.

Whilst January Kensington debut winner Gorgeous was beaten, she was warming up strongly at the end of the 1000m, and will soon be back in the winning list.

Croft missed out in last Sunday’s $200,000 Wellington Boot (1100m) with Dubbo debut winner I’m A Beaut (who ran ninth as a $3.10 favorite), but is overlooking the two-year-old’s defeat.

“She was a bit slow to begin, and Wellington is a tricky track and I don’t think she handled it,” he said.

“I’m A Beaut has come through the race okay, and we’re looking at the $200,000 Inglis Challenge (1200m) at the Wagga Gold Cup meeting on May 1.

“That race was previously run annually at Scone, and this will be the first time at Wagga.

“I’m A Beaut goes pretty well. I’m not giving up on her.”

RacingNSW stewards fined fellow Hawkesbury trainer Ed Cummings $1500 after he pleaded guilty to AR 296 (2), (d), (i) for failing to maintain accurate and up to date stable returns.

Cummings had two prior offences under the same rule.

Kembla Grange co-trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter didn’t waste much time getting a quick result when given a city-trained three-year-old a number of weeks back.

Team Beer landed the Provincial Maiden Plate (1100m) with well supported $2.35 favorite Peleus (Tommy Berry).

Peleus at his ninth start defeated Hawkesbury trainer Blake Ryan’s Smoke ‘N’ Darts ($3.40) and fellow Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker’s Pacific Mick ($26).

. Illawarra Turf Club’s new inside track (Illawarra Grange) will host its first meeting on Tuesday, May 5.

The meeting has been transferred from the course proper and, as a result, there will be some distance changes.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 14, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS