Chilcott gets a training double at Cambridge

Cambridge trainer Nicky Chilcott has rounded out the year’s final Trot into Tuesday harness racing meeting at her home track with a winning training double.

“It was a great night, I was rapt with the horses and a few of their owners were on course to enjoy it which was awesome,” said Chilcott.

Chilcott’s first winner of the night was Katies Princess (Raging Bull) who took out the Flair Junior Drivers Trophy Mobile Pace driven by stable employee and junior driver Leah Hibell.

In a confident drive by Hibell, Katies Princess was sent forward off the mobile and after some early work eventually found the lead over Baileys Pitch. From there Hibell rated the mare well and despite some pressure down the back from the parked Heaven High, Katies Princess was too good, letting down to score the win by 1.75 lengths.

“It was fantastic for her owners the Messengers who made the trip up from Inglewood to watch her tonight and it was a great drive from Leah, she showed confidence out there and drove her really well,” said Chilcott, “Leah’s won five races on her now and has developed a good association with the mare.”

The five-year-old mare by Raging Bull now has seven lifetime wins to her name and earnings just shy of $60,000.

Later in the evening, Chilcott drove Alwaysbesecret (Always B Miki) to her maiden victory taking out the Garrards Horse and Hound Mobile Pace for Fillies and Mares.

“I actually thought she would have won a race sooner but it has taken her some time to get the hang of racing despite running a few places on the way,” said Chilcott, “this was her third week in a row racing which was the only question mark but it turned out to be her best run yet.”

From a starting draw of four, Chilcott sent Alwaysbesecret forward to lead and remained in front from there on out. In the home straight Spirited Peggy who had trailed the winner, issued a strong challenge up the passing lane and at one stage looked to head Chilcott’s horse, but Alwaysbesecret rallied and fought hard to win by a head.

“She is still a bit weak yet and probably about 12 months away from being the full package but it’s great for the owners that we’ve been able to have some fun with her and get a win,” said Chilcott, “she’ll probably head to the paddock for a spell now.”

Peter Ferguson also scored a winning driving double last night winning race 1, the Blue Water Waikato Handicap Trot with Crackerjack for trainers Dylan and Jo Ferguson. His next win was with Ruby Ridge in the Christmas At The Raceway Handicap Trot for the Pukekohe-based training partnership of Peter and Vaughan Blanchard. It was the Majestic Son mare’s 10th lifetime win.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand