Nicky Chilcott only had two drives at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night – the first just before 6pm and the last at 9.26pm.
Fist Pump: Cambridge driver Nicky Chilcott wrapped up the Night of Champions with her 700th win in the sulky. Photo: Angelique Bridson
She failed to create some local history in the Dorothy Cutts Ladies Invitational in the earlier race – settling for her 747th third placing as a driver – so she nipped home around the corner for a snooze in the armchair and to watch Night of Champions action on television.
In an earlier race, Nicky Chilcott was third on Always Flyin. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
When the 53-year-old got back she told The News in the stables she felt no pressure to get win number 700 behind the sulky – three months after 699.
Her win a few minutes later driving the aptly named Crazy was so relaxed it was like she was still sitting at home in her armchair.
A fist pump as the eight-year-old rank outsider crossed the finish line showed this was one monkey Chilcott was pleased to get off her back.
And to do it for trainer Tim Hall, who used to work at her White Star Stables in Cambridge, made it even more special.
Nicky Chilcott returns to the winners’ circle on Night of Champions 2025. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Chilcott has developed a reputation as a trainer who can take cast offs and underperforming horses and get something out of them that makes owners happy.
She clearly has those skills as a driver too from her 7916 starts. Crazy is a wayward horse, without a win for three years in both New Zealand and Australia, and a driver’s nightmare who the previous owners lost patience with. Hall now owns the bay gelding who in March got a stewards’ warning for his racing manners.
The Australians looked to have taken ownership of Cambridge Raceway winning the night’s two richest events. Leap to Fame won the $1 million The Race smashing the New Zealand record over 2200m in the process despite persistent rain throughout the night.
Another Aussie winner was Arcee Phoenix in the Trot, in another record time, a testament to the work track staff did in the 24 hours leading up to the Night of Champions when the Waikato drought finally broke.
Dave and Murray Branch embrace after their horse Romeo Foxtrot won during the Night of Champions 2025. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Murray, left, and Dave Branch, front, with Romeo Foxtrot and driver Tony Herlihy, after a popular local victory at Cambridge Raceway. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The night’s noisiest win came when Romeo Foxtrot – trained by Susan Branch for a Cambridge syndicate of family and friends, including Raceway chief executive Dave Branch.
It was a nervous Branch who earlier had told The News he hoped all would go well on the night, a reference to a hearing in February when police and Waipā liquor licensing officials opposed the Raceway’s licence because of the behaviour of patrons at previous events.
Security guards and police were posted throughout the sell-out crowd – a portion of which were clearly there for the entertainment, country pop singer Kaylee Bell. Cowboy boots and hats gave the game away.
Police were ready for patrons who drank too much and then drove – breathalysing drivers as they left the venue.
Fortunately, Chilcott saved her celebrations for later – she was stopped twice in her car on the way home and got the all clear.
Kaylee Bell. Photo: Supplied
Kaylee Bell. Photo: Supplied.
Cambridge driver Nicky Chilcott wrapped up the Night of Champions with her 700th win in the sulky. Photo: Angelique Bridson
