Crystal Hackett heads south for three Ashburton drives

By Mike Love 

Northern junior driver Crystal Hackett makes the trip to Ashburton today for three drives looking to add to her already winning weekend after finding success with Son Of The Cleaner at Alexandra Park on Friday night.

“It looked like a nice race for him, and I thought he’d be hard to beat, and he was. I was really happy with how he did it,” reflected Hackett on that win.

Hackett will drive two runners for trainer Andrew Stuart after he reached out to her when looking for a driver for the junior drivers race.  

“Andrew Stuart asked me a couple of weeks ago if I’d come down for the junior race, as he wanted to secure a driver early on as a few of the juniors are away.” 

Moonlite CC draws one in that event, the A Team Construction Mobile Pace (3:11pm) over 1700m.

“We should get an economical trip. It was just okay last week, but had been racing well before that without much luck. It was nearly three weeks before her last run, so hopefully she’s come on from that and will be competitive.”

Hackett’s other drive for Stuart comes in Race 8, the Wylie Family Pace (3:46pm) over 2400m with Rapid Response, who was eye-catching first up at Kurow when third.

“He went really good fresh-up. He looks like he should be a good chance. He’s got good manners, and knows how to step.”

In Race 4 Hackett drives Lipstick ($8.50FF) for Margo Nyhan, in the Fulton Hogan Trot (1:23pm) over 2400m. Usually a well-mannered type, Lipstick will be looking for an economical trip in transit to aid her chances. 

“Pretty honest customer and does things right. It’ll be a bit tough, drawn wide, so hopefully we can get handy enough. I think Val Thorens ($2.50FF) will be the one to beat.” 

Hackett recently brought up her 200th career win, and is closing in on her most successful season to date, as far as wins on the board go, currently sitting on 44, where her season's best is 56.

Race 6, the Nevele R Fillies Series (Heat 2) (2:37pm) for $20,000 looks to be one of the day's highlights with current favourite Indulge Me ($1.50FF) for trainer/driver Nathan Williamson looking very hard to beat. 

Race 1 gets underway at 11:55am. 

Note: FF (Fixed Field) odds can fluctuate, so check tab.co.nz for the latest information.