Chance to become clan's latest feature winner

THRIVING since arriving in South Australia, Offyarocka Crocker has a strong chance to become his family's latest feature winner this weekend.

By Art Major, Offyarocka Crocker is from broodmare gem, Aratusa Lass, which boasts 10 winners from 10 foals.

Aratusa Lass' stock includes Group One winner Major Crocker, which was retired last season following a successful northern hemisphere career.

The first SA-bred pacer to earn more than $1million, the son of Art Major won 73 races - 43 in North America - with his best time of 1:49.2 registered at Pocono Downs in 2019.

Aratusa Lass is also the dam of Group Two winner Adam Crocker, Listed Classic winner Innocent Crocker and dual Group One placegetter Eve Crocker.

As for Offyarocka Crocker, he is engaged in tomorrow night's Pot Of Gold at Globe Derby for trainer Samantha Hill.

Offyarocka Crocker boasts three wins and two placings from six starts since joining Hill's stable last December, with his victories including a Pot Of Gold heat last weekend.

"Samantha has done an amazing job with him," owner Gary Crocker said. "Sure the racing suits him better in SA, but Samantha has him looking a million dollars.

"Seriously, you'd struggle to find a horse turned out at the races looking as good as him!"

To be driven by Hill, Offyarocka Crocker has drawn barrier three, but slots into two with the removal of the emergency.

In an even market, the gelding heads the field as a $3.20 favourite.

"It's a good draw, but he doesn't have any gate speed, so we'll be hoping to slot nicely into the running line," Crocker said. "My guess is Major Icon will go straight to the front from four.

"As long as he gets a nice clear run at them, he will be right in the finish.

"I'll be disappointed if he does get the right run and doesn't finish in the top three."

Although Magic Storm is considered the biggest threat at $3.50 from gate eight, Crocker rates $10 chance Always Steamed Up as the biggest threat from barrier nine.

"If it is an evenly run race, which you would expect in a Final like this, then I reckon it brings something like Always Steamed Up right into it," Crocker said.

"He finished hard when second behind us in the heat and seems primed for a race like this."