Shrewd investment keeps paying dividends
PROMINENT Adelaide businessman Gary Crocker is skilled in financial investments.
Yet anything he has achieved in his professional life surely pales in comparison to a hobby decision made 20 years ago.
Looking to purchase a standardbred to "have a bit of fun with", Crocker settled for a mare which had five starts resulting in a third.
Soon after his acquisition, Crocker sent Aratusa Lass to Broken Hill, where she won her first three starts.
By the end of her career, the daughter of D M Dilinger had a record of 18 wins and 18 placings across three states for a bankroll of $58,507.
As astute an investment as that sounds, Aratusa Lass was far from finished as a "cash cow" for Crocker.
Aratusa Lass' life as a broodmare saw her produce 10 winners from 10 foals, which have earned $1,977,061.
Furthermore, Aratusa Lass' fillies have continued her legacy in the breeding barn, including her daughter Samara Crocker - the dam of last night's Breeders' Challenge Easter Final winner, Beachbabe Crocker, at Club Menangle.
"Aratusa Lass has been amazing since the day I bought her," Crocker said. "I only paid $2500 for her and she won her first three races for me.
"She's clearly outdone her racing achievements in the breeding barn and become a phenomenal foundation mare.
"Her daughter's are breeding on and appear to be ready to continue the bloodline for some time."
Trained by Wayne Dimech and driven by Bailey McDonough, Beachbabe Crocker led throughout from barrier four to score by a short half-head from a determined Cocos Desire.
Snipers Fire was nine-and-a-half metres away third.
Covering the mile in 1:52, Beachbabe Crocker also provided McDonough with his 400th win.
"Wayne has done a wonderful job with this filly," Crocker said. "He's a very underrated, old school trainer.
"Also congratulations for Bailey on his 400th...it was a satisfying win allround.
"That's it for her this season though, she's going straight to a paddock.
"She'll enjoy a quiet Christmas before we aim her up at next season's Oaks."
