CAMERON Crockett is not a man who believes in divine intervention, but the trainer does believe something very special happened to him on ANZAC Day in 2019.
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That afternoon Crockett watched on as his runner Turcotte ($5.50) surged along the rails at Bathurst's Tyers Park to win the prestigious Soldier's Saddle.
It was a race the trainer, who began his career in Mudgee but is now based in Scone, had long wanted to win. It is a race his father-trainer Max had won 13 years earlier with Lifes Too Short.
"That was probably my most emotional win ever that race because that was about five-six months after Dad died," he said.
"It's a funny story actually, I don't believe too much in divine intervention or anything, but when I was driving the horse home that day - I led the horse in myself - that was a pretty emotional drive.
"I reckon that was one of my best training efforts with that horse running 1,400 first up, he was a very hard horse to train and he won. That was actually his last ever run, he bled after that so we retired him.
"But when I was driving home after that I could hear Dad's voice, it was like he was sitting in the car with you. It was incredible that day - so it's one of the most emotional wins I've ever had."
On Monday Crockett will be back chasing success in Bathurst Thoroughbred Racing's 1,400 metres ANZAC Day feature once more.
"Growing up I always wanted to win the Soldier's Saddle, so to tick it off the bucket list before I left Mudgee was fantastic. But I'd love to win it again," he said.
Crockett did have three runners - Morpheus, Mr Hussill and Cracking Mo - included in the saddle field, but only the former will line up with his stablemates racing in Saturday's Highway Handicap at Randwick instead.
But the six-year-old Snitzel x Trista Rossa gelding is one that Crockett has high hopes for.
Morpheus, who has previously won over the 1,400m trip, has been given a two-week freshen-up since placing second at Tamworth.
"Morpheus, he's been going massive. His run the other day was super, he got beaten by a nose by Acrophobic and it was a Tamworth Cup prelude," Crockett said.
"We were hoping to sneak him into the Tamworth Cup via that race, but that might have been a bit too strong for him, so I happy to have the Soldier's Saddle for his second option.
"He's got a bit of a big weight, but with those two of mine coming out underneath him he'll come across a little bit closer which will help him, because he drew pretty wide.
"He's in really good order, I haven't had him as good as he is at the moment for a long time. He's got his fair share of issues, but when he gets it right he invariably runs a good race, so even with the 62.5 I'd expect he'll give it a good shake."
Monday's Soldier's Saddle will jump at 4.26pm.
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