Hickmott’s treble

Tue, August 02 2011

Rising young trainer Michael Hickmott has certainly enjoyed the highs and lows over the years on Darwin Cup Day.

The 22-year-old copped both ends of the stick yesterday when a winning treble was marred by tragedy. Hickmott had every right to be doing handstands when $3.60 chance Seventh Bullet (Steven Arnold), $15 outsider Let Go Johnny (Michael Evans) and $8 hopeful Academy Magic (Libby Hopwood) saluted in their respective races at Fannie Bay yesterday.

he more than matched the achievement of Darwin trainer Gary Clarke, who saddled up four winners on Cup Day last year. But Hickmott was shaken when gelding Besofabuleux (Brendon Davis) broke down after breaking its leg passing the 600m mark in the Qantas Invitation Plate (1300m). It was a sickening moment and sadly the seven-year-old was put down.

Meanwhile, Hickmott, who won the 2007 and 2009 Darwin Cups with General Market and Activation, respectively, led his fellow trainers a merry dance on the final day of the Cup Carnival. Four-year-old gelding Seventh Heaven was among the leaders in the Winning Edge presentations Handicap (1100m) before sprinting clear to post a comfortable win over Even Money (Paul Denton) and Canny Catch Me (Kerrin McEvoy).

After targeting the TIO Party Safe Handicap (1900m) a few weeks ago, Hickmott was elated when six-year-old gelding Let Go Johnny prevailed ahead of Blazing Rhythm (Paul Denton) and Hachiman (Nash Rawiller). "It was a great ride by Michael, one of the best jockeys in Alice Springs, but Louis Paech (stable foreman) and I were confident before the race," Hickmott said. "I was worried when he was caught midfield along the rails, but in the end it was a big thrill. Let Go Johnny was way over the odds because his form hasn't been all that bad."

It was a double celebration for Hickmott in the Trafficking Handicap (1300m) when Adelaide jockey Libby Hopwood, who is also his partner, triumphed aboard the six-year-old gelding Academy Magic, who got a start as the second emergency.

"Starting from an outside gate seemed to suit him as he jumped well and kept out of trouble," Hopwood said. "He did a super job and I was impressed with his effort as he ran wide for the entire trip." To further illustrate the ups and downs of horse racing, Hickmott, who is now based back in Adelaide, had to retire Activation after he broke down in last year's Cup.

Story courtesy of David White, NT News