Last year McElhinney produced a masterful drive as he guided Emjayem Grand to success in the Group One Gold Crown Final from barrier 10, but his 2009 finals night did not look as if it would be as memorable as he was involved in a crash just seconds in to the opening race of the evening at the Bathurst Paceway.

Driving River Franco for Menangle Park trainer Peter Morris in the Gold Chalice Consolation Final, McElhinney travelled less than 100 metres before contacting with Armagedon Flame and Glenbawn Free in a nasty crash.

River Franco ended up being scratched as the contest was later re-run.

But whatever bad luck McElhinney had it was gone by the time the $100,000 two-year-old colts and geldings final arrived as he came from fourth with 500m to go to take out the contest with the John Tapp, Ebenezer trained Chariot King.

It was a smart effort as he sat off the pace through a quick 28.7 seconds opening quarter, got past a tiring Jenna McRae (Bruce Harpley) then claimed the lead with 300m to go.

This time he did it from barrier nine, $5.90 chance Chariot King holding off Cuttheattitude in the closing stages of the 1730m contest to give McElhinney back-to-back Gold Crown wins.

“There’s that many scenarios that run through your brain from there,” he said of his second row draw.

“Just the way the race panned out we went forward, I drove him for luck early and unfortunately for Bruce Harpley, he got caught three wide and with a lap to go his horse started to feel the pinch a bit and we were able to get out and from there on in I was pretty confident the horse was going to win.

“He needed that little bit of luck tonight and he got it.”

The action in the Gold Crown Final was constant as Spencer Wallace took the lead from barrier two and sped through the opening quarter with Temora colt Mike Brennan in hot pursuit.

Harpley came three wide with Jenna McRae and continued to work out wide, the pace backing off as they came around for the bell in a 60.5 first half.

The pressure told on Jenna McRae as he rapidly dropped back through the field while Mike Brennan also paid the price for a quick beginning as his challenge faded down the back straight.

Seeing his chance McElhinney came out of the one-one, took the lead from Spencer Wallace and heading into the home turn, held an advantage of just over a length.

Cuttheattitude ($7.70, Jimmy Brown) applied late pressure but Chariot King had too much in reserve as he took out the contest by 31/2m in a 1:59.3 mile rate.

While third placed Northern Frontier ($71.70, Steve Turnbull) was 131/4m back, it was a huge effort as he came from near last with 400m to go to the finish in the placings.

It was even better considering the Lindsay Morphett, Wagga trained gelding was originally slated as the emergency.

However, the spotlight belonged to McElhinney who became the first driver in 23 years to make it consecutive Gold Crown wins as Chariot King notched up victory number four from his five-start career.

It was also a Gold Crown double for Brooklyn Lodge, who bred last year’s victor Emjayem Grand (Bettors Delight x Queen Xena) as well Chariot King (Badlands Hanover x Queen Xena).

“Not only have I drove the last two winners but Brooklyn Lodge have bred them. Both the winners are out of the same mare and that is a great achievement in itself,” McElhinney said.