Big weekend for Captain Crunch

It was a terrific weekend for the progeny of Captain Crunch in New Zealand, with the exciting son of Captaintreacherous siring a slew of classy 3-year-old winners around the country.

The 2018 US 2YO Pacing Colt of the Year kicked the weekend off in style, with his sons Crunch Time and Scrunch bookending the Addington meeting on Friday night.

The Hayden and Amanda Cullen trained Crunch Time recorded his third win from just six starts when downing a good field in a career best 1:56.8 mile rate in the first race, while Scrunch led throughout in the last to win on debut for the Robert and Jenna Dunn barn.

At Alexandra Park on the same evening, the well-bred Big Herb made it three wins in the last two months for trainer Jeremy Young and a big group of owners.

The North America Cup winner then sired a winner at both meetings on Sunday, with She’s Classy and Smoking Ashes saluting at Gore and Rangiora respectively.

The Nathan Williamson trained filly She’s Classy remained undefeated when taking out her $25,000 Southern Surge Series Final by an impressive four and three-quarter lengths.

It was her third win from as many starts.

Earlier, the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained Smoking Ashes rounded out an outstanding weekend for his sire, justifying his favouritism at Rangiora with a comfortable one and three-quarter length maiden victory.

All bar Big Herb (whose dam is by Christian Cullen) are out of Bettor’s Delight mares.

Captain Crunch is behind only Bettor’s Delight on the New Zealand 3YO Sires Premiership – by stakes earnings, individual winners and number of race wins.

His oldest Southern Hemisphere foals are currently 3-year-olds.