Cropp (22) moved south to Rangiora two months ago, and is grateful for the four rides he has at the Tapanui Racing Club meeting at Gore tomorrow, including a ride in the Tapanui Cup on Robbie Rooster.
Cropp, who transferred his apprenticeship to Tarsha and Michael Stokes when he came south from Cambridge, said the plan was originally to keep himself fit for the upcoming jumping season. He has made his name over the jumps, winning the 2010 Grand National Hurdles with Joint Effort and this year's Grand National Steeplechase with El Patron.
''It was mainly to get more of a go down here through the summer and get myself ready for the jumps season,'' Cropp said of his move.
''Up north, I just wasn't getting a big look in. Down here I'm getting quite a few rides nearly every race day.
Cropp's move and his 3kg apprentice claim has perversely had an effect on his riding engagements in the North Island - not that he is complaining.
''Since I've been down here, I'm starting to get a lot of rides up north again so it's quite funny.
Cropp's ride in the Tapanui Cup, Robbie Rooster, has a habit of mixing his efforts, fading at Ascot Park last Saturday, but placing at Winton in mid October three starts back, so Cropp is just hoping the good rooster turns up.
''On his day, he can go good, but you just never know with him,'' he said.
The barrier draw of 14 may force Cropp to drop back from the start of the 2000m open handicap.
''I probably will, carrying a big weight. I would like to try and use my claim a little bit, but it's up to the trainer what he wants to do. But it's a pretty wide draw.
''I've never ridden at Gore, but I've heard about it. They've been saying you can come from behind, so I don't think it will make much of a difference where I am in the field.''
Cropp's claim brings Robbie Rooster's impost down to 57kg, although The Jester (race 8) will be lugging around 60kg, even with Cropp's claim.
Cropp is backing the canny placement of the Dennis brothers who train The Jester, especially after the 9yr-old's fresh-up run for third at Cromwell. The Jester's rating of 83 meant a carded weight of 63kg in the rating 75 1200m.
''It was an eye-catcher anyway - he's definitely one to watch on Sunday.
''It's a big weight, but in saying that, to put him in a race knowing he'd get a weight like that, they must know he can carry it.''
Cropp was taken by the run of Proximity (race 1) when the gelding ran on for fourth at Winton in November, while he will go in fairly blind with debutante McGluskeysdaughter (race 2), who has not been spotted at the trials.
''Robbie Rooster on his day will go pretty close. In saying that, all my rides are very good chances.''
Updates
Additional information for meetings today.-
M2 Waikato RC
Riders:
Scratchings:
Race 1 - Fast 'N' Gorgeous
Race 7 - Speedy Jax
Weather, fine; track, good3; rail out 3m
M4 Manawatu RCRiders:
Scratchings:
Race 7 - Floral Scent
Weather, fine; track, dead4; rail, true
M7 Wairio TC
Drivers:
Race 9: Ultra Shox - Dexter Dunn
Scratchings:
Race 9 - Righthere Rightnow
Race 10 - Ted West
