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Mudgee trainer Cameron Crockett has had his problems getting talented three-year-old filly Kikimora back to the racetrack.
Crockett, the son of famed horse breaker and trainer Max Crockett, has had two major setbacks with Kikimora before having her ready to return to the racing cauldron at Narromine on Saturday in the Ian Newbigging Memorial Class 3 Hcp over the 800m dash.
“We’ve had some dramas with her,” Crockett said understating her problems. “During all the wet weather she went to dart out the gap after trackwork and caught the running rail.
“She ripped open her chest and had heaps of stitches.” The daughter of Snippetson spent many weeks recovering.
Problem two arose when the filly was again back in work. She caught a virus and had to be turned out immediately to get over the problem.
But Crockett is confident it will be a case of third time lucky, now Kikimora is injury free and healthy.
“She’s come back this time the best I’ve ever had her,” Crockett said confidently. “She looks well, is eating well and ready to go. She is a very happy filly in herself.”
Crockett got Kikimora from Wyong trainer Allan Denham. It came after a meeting with family friend Gordon Henderson at a sale.
“The next day Gordon, an old client of dad’s, rang me and asked if I wanted to train her,” Crockett recalled. “It was thought she would be better placed in the country rather than as a provincial racehorse.”
Kikimora arrived at Crockett’s stables in fine fettle, Crockett sending her around in a 1100m 2YO handicap at Narromine on May 25. The filly duly saluted.
“She turned up at my place in great order. A lot of the credit has to go to Allan,” Crockett suggested.
Kikimora then finished down the track at Muswellbrook on June 12 before a 155-day spell.
“She had trained off before Muswellbrook, got sour. In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have run her,” Crockett said in a self-admittance of erring.
The filly hasn’t officially trialled or been given a jump out which doesn’t phase Crockett.
“She didn’t need a jump out,” he insisted. “She’s a real racehorse, a natural. She’s up to the mark fitness wise.
“She likes Narromine where she’s won and if it’s wet, being by Snippetson, will be an advantage. She’s got a lot in her favour.”
