by Brigette Solomon
It was a night to remember for Crystal Hackett – four winners from four drives.
At Cambridge last night the 19-year-old, who’s in just her second full season of driving, produced a career best performance.
“It was a great night, I’m still buzzing and I’m very grateful to everyone who puts me on and trusts me in the bike!” says Hackett.
The first of those wins came in Race 1, on Ilsa’s Son trained by Hackett’s employers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.
“He went well, I went round to lead then trailed the right horse before managing to get out on the bend, we’re really happy to get the penalty free win on him,” says Hackett.
Win two came by way of Andrew and Lyn Neal trained Claude in Race 3 for the Junior Drivers. Hackett was confident of Claude’s chances.
“He was the best horse in the race on rating points,I drove him accordingly and he was too good in the finish.”
Hackett was then successful in Race 5 with Pixie trained by Todd Mitchell.
“She was able to capitalize on a good trip in the trail from her starting draw of nine,” says Hackett.
Mitchell later went onto train and drive the winner of Race 9, President Flynntin, bringing up a double for the Tauwhare based trainer.
The final win of Hackett’s quadrella came in Race 6 with Run Forest Run who has been in good form. Hackett was able to trail throughout before running up the passing lane to score.
“He likes the distance and was good tonight!”
The win brought up a double for trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal, who also trained the second place getter, Winners Time.
“The Team are flying at the moment and couldn’t have gone better” says Neal.
Among the night’s quadrellas and doubles, Nicky Chilcott was the successful trainer of a trifecta with her three runners in Race 2.
Vincent’s Girl lead from start to finish to win driven by Sailesh Abernethy, followed closely by stablemates Messenger Buoy and Alwaysbelove.
“I’m not certain but I think it could be the first trifecta I’ve trained” says Chilcott “I was really pleased with all of them.”
Also of note was the winner of Race 7, New York Minute who brought up his 15th lifetime win for trainer Arna Donnelly.
“He’s a perfect wee tradesman who never goes a bad race, he appreciated the drop back in grade and went super.”
