Temora trainer finally achieves group one dream with Gold Crown win

He watched on as Mister Rea posted an all the way win in the $100,000 Gold Crown Final at the Bathurst Paceway then was all smiles as he was presented with a host of trophies.

Walker had long wanted to win the annual Bathurst feature for two-year-old colts and geldings and said when Mister Rea drew barrier one he was confident.

That confidence was well placed as Walker's short $1.55 favourite delivered.

"He wasn't odds on for nothing, when he drew one it was over," Walker said.

While Walker is no stranger to success in feature races, the MIA Breeders Plate for two-year-olds amongst them, he'd not quite been able to clinch a group one victory.

"I've run six seconds in group one races before, so it was good to finally win one. They all got beat by a metre or two so they weren't close really," he said.

"I use to sit on my dad's lap before I could nearly walk I reckon, I've been involved all my life.

"My grandfather was in the industry too. I won the Sapling Stakes with this horse on March 6 at Menangle and my grandfather won it in 1955 at Harold Park."

After a winning debut at Kilmore and his group two Sapling Stakes success, Mister Rea won his Gold Crown heat in an impressive 1:55.8 mile rate. He was the quickest qualifier.

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Speed was something Mister Rea showed again when the green light was given on Saturday, getting away well from barrier one to ensure he took the lead in the 1,730m final.

From there the Pet Rock-Just Glenburn colt Walker bred with his wife Jane and the couple co-own with Greg O'Callaghan controlled things.

Mister Rea led by some four metres as the bell sounded, with Masquerading in the trail and fellow unbeaten colt Lightning Dan on the outside.

Lightning Dan closed within two metres down the back straight, but at the 400 mark the favourite found another gear and turned for home with a handy lead.

While Masquerading ($4.20) made up ground late, Mister Rea's driver Daryll Perrot raised his whip in triumph as he crossed the line when he knew he had it won.

Mister Rea's final split was 27.7 seconds as he won by 1.5m in a 1:54.3 mile rate, with third-placed Better Than Lexy ($81) a further 22.4m back.

It was also Perrot's maiden group one triumph.

"To drive for Ray probably meant more, he's the reason I do what I do," he said.

"Ray and my Dad were mates and I was kicking around hanging off a kart when I was nine and it just went from there."

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