Parkes horseman, Brett Hutchings experienced some special moments at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Sunday afternoon when he landed a unique winning double at the annual Fisher’s Ghost meeting.
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As a reinsman, Brett was competing in the Happy Birthday Charonne – Driver Breakthrough Cup (1609m), a race restricted to drivers who had never won a race at headquarters.
He was aboard the Kerryann Turner trained Heza Swinger ($3.00 favourite) and with a wing on every hoof, the gelding was able to cross the runners drawn inside him to find the pegs and lead.
From there, Hutchings was able to dictate the speed and while he could have been forgiven for getting a bit excited on the home turn with the prospect of racking up his first Sydney winner, he remained calm, holding Heza Swinger together and keeping his only danger in a zip fast pocket behind him all the way down to the line.
In the end it was a comfortable three and three quarter metre victory for Heza Swinger in 1.55 as he relegated Robbiewillmakeit and High Class Mate into the minor placings.
Just a few races later Brett and his partner Sally Morrison were seen in the role as owners as they watched their pride and joy, Cankickatarget ($2.00 favourite) make his opponents look second rate in the Katie Purnell Mighty Mouse Cup (1000m) which was for horses 15 hands or shorter.
This time it was trainer Kerryann Turner and her partner Robbie Morris who did the job with Cankickatarget which came out humming from barrier six and really motored over the 1000 metre trip.
At the top of the lane the four year old left his opponents in his wake and Morris only had to hold onto the reins as he crossed the line 19 metres clear of The Black Assassin and The Watch Dog.
It may not be recognised as a record but Cankickatarget’s time of 1.08.3 converted to a sensational 1.49.9 mile rating.
It was the gelding’s 34th race start and 10th career win which took his earnings to almost $47,000.
The day also heralded the return to the gig for Brett who hasn’t driven in a race since being involved in a frightening fall at Parkes last season.
He and fellow Parkes Harness Racing Club committeeman, Darryle Rusten share the task of maintaining the Parkes Paceway (365 days of the year) and they are doing a fantastic job with the track surface proving popular with locals and visitors alike.