Luck Falls Crystal’s way
Thirteen may be unlucky for some, but it proved to be lucky for Go Racing syndicate member Antoinette McLeod and five-year-old mare Crystal Falls on Wednesday.
The Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Sacred Falls was a popular winner of the Skycity Horizon 2100 at Pukekohe Park, at her thirteenth start.
Amongst those on course to celebrate the win was part-owner and Go Racing Account Manager Antoinette McLeod who has waited thirteen years to get a winner of her own.
McLeod is well accustomed to celebrating the wins of her employers however it was her first time celebrating a win of her own, as a member of the Go Racing Nashville Syndicate.
“Antoinette was there with Albert (Bosma, Go Racing Director) and his wife Melissa,” Go Racing’s General Manager Matt Allnutt said.
“She’s been with us for thirteen years and has always celebrated everyone else’s wins so to finally get her moment in the sun is just the icing on the cake.
“It was a great result for all of her connections, many of whom were on course today, there was a lot of excitement and joy all round.”
Given a beautiful ride by Vinnie Colgan, Crystal Falls was quick away from barrier five, she settled in the one-one position and made a sustained run from the 600-metre mark wearing down the leaders to win by a comfortable length and a quarter on the line.
Luck has not always been on Crystal Falls side, however it is hoped that Wednesday’s visit to the winners’ circle may be emblematic of a change of fortune.
“She’s probably been one of the unluckiest horses we’ve got racing,” Allnutt said. “Every time we have thought that she would win something has gone wrong.
“She nearly got brought down by a fallen horse in November last year and she got badly galloped on at Te Aroha in November.”
In that incident she sustained a severe laceration to her right hind leg which resulted in three months box rest.
“She had a decent spell after that and she’s come back well and it was great to see her pick up her maiden win today,” Allnutt said.
“Her next race will be a $40,000 benchmark 65 over 2400 metres at Te Rapa on the 28th of October and we are all hoping she can go on with the job from this point.”
Photo: Melissa and Antoinette celebrating post race.