When you least expected it, a Masked Crusader would swoop in and save the day

Masked Crusader was a AUS$340,000 purchase from Inglis Premier and is out of the group-placed stakes winner Invincible Spirit by the mare, She's Got Gears. He never quite lived up to his hype but the son of Toronado still had a super career and gave those who backed Nature Strip in the 2021 Everest a huge fright when he nearly produced a 'Chatauqua like performance' from the tail of the field. Masked Crusader's lone Group one victory came in the 2021 William Reid Stakes, but his most impressive performance arguably came a prep later when coming from an impossible position to with The Heath 1100. His sire, Toronado has shuttled to Swettenham Stud since his retirement in 2015.

Masked Crusader’s early form, with wins at Caulfield, Bendigo and Randwick in the autumn convinced Jamieson he was onto a good thing, hence the return of She’s Got Gears to Toronado as a breeding prospect. She’s Got Gears was a speedster who debuted with a 1000-metre Listed win at Flemington, was placed at Group 3 in the Maribyrnong Plate and Blue Diamond Prelude, but then placed only once more in nine starts before her retirement. 

Toronado was presented with his first top-level winner when Masked Crusader landed the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse in March. West Australian wizard Willie Pike pulled off a masterful ride on Masked Crusader to claim a clinical win in the silks made famous by champion sprinter Chautauqua. Masked Crusader made a stunning return to claim the Gr.3 The Heath 1100 at his first start since a successful autumn campaign that saw the Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained sprinter run away with the William Reid Stakes.

The gelding, who was bred by Gilgai Farm, was adding a second group win to his name after landing the Gr.3 Southern Cross Stakes at Randwick. The Hawkes-trio trained horse had also finished third in the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes. His greatest accomplishment was when Masked Crusader finished a slashing second to Nature Strip in the 2021 The Everest, but he struggled to consistently reproduce his best form. He did show glimpses without winning, including running a close third behind Lost And Running and Mazu in the Premiere Stakes and being beaten just over three lengths in Giga Kick’s Everest.

After eighteen months of frustration, connections of Masked Crusader believed they had finally identified the issue that been hindering their Group one winning sprinter, giving them cause for optimism. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said extensive testing had revealed the rising seven-year-old to have a throat issue, which was subsequently rectified through surgery. Ultimately they decided to retire the gelding in 2023.

RACE RECORD - 28: 7-3-3

EARNINGS - $4,400,000

G1 William Reid Stakes

G2 Premiere Stakes

G3 The Heath 1100 Stakes

G3 Southern Cross

2nd TJ Smith

2nd Canterbury Stakes