Was historic moment the opening of a floodgate?
HISTORY was made earlier this week when Major Crocker reached a milestone thanks to his win in Yonkers.
Driven by Baxter Boyd, Major Crocker covered the mile in 1:55.2 as Sports Bettor and Jojo's Place filled the placings.
While the gelding's time was nothing special - in fact, it was almost six seconds slower than his best - it was enough to tip Major Crocker's earning past $1million.
As such, the son of Art Major became the first South Australian-bred to enter the millionaire's club.
During his Australian career, Major Crocker captured the Australasian Breeders' Crown, Inter Dominion Consolation, Southern Cross Final and posted a fastest time of 1:50.2 before lowering his mark to 1:49.4 in the northern hemisphere.
Major Crocker was bred by SA businessman Gary Crocker, who sold the Australian Pacing Gold eligible pacer to America,
"I was rapt to see him pass the million dollars in earnings," Crocker said. "When I think back to buying his dam, Aratusa Lass, for $2500 and the way she has gone on as a broodmare it just goes to show fairy tales can happen.
"It hadn't crossed my mind he is the first standardbred to be bred by a South Australian to win $1million...that's something to be proud of."
With a pair of South Aussie's currently among the best in the nation, is it possible Major Crocker is just the opening of a 'floodgate'?
Given his form this season, which has catapulted his bankroll to $758,524, Majestic Cruiser is certainly a realistic chance to surpass seven figures.
Bred and owned by Des and Heather Glynn, Majestic Cruiser is a last start winner of The Blacks A Fake, having captured New Zealand's Messenger Championship earlier in the season.
Also a son of Art Major, Majestic Cruiser is among the nominations for the Inter Dominion, which begins with heats in Ballarat on November 26.
Add likely targets such as the A G Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile into the mix and it should only be a matter of months before Majestic Cruiser becomes SA's second millionaire.
Then there is brilliant filly Encipher which boasts an impeccable record of seven wins and five seconds from 13 starts for earnings of $292,799.
"That would be a dream if she could win $1million before she's sent to stud," trainer Emma Stewart said.
Owned by Tyson Linke, who also bred the youngster, Encipher is set to contest a Victoria Oaks heat at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.
Should all go according to plan, the three-year-old will then compete in next week's $150,000 Final.
Encipher is also eligible for the $200,000 Breeders' Crown, $130,000 Vicbred Super Series and the Southern Cross before the end of the year.
"I know she is only a third of the way to where Major Crocker is, but she is only a third of his age too," Stewart joked.
"Not many horses get to $1million, but if she was to have an incredible campaign which saw win a couple of the Group Ones she is eligible for in coming she'd be close to halfway there at the end of her three-year-old season, so never say never!"
