Five weeks after being released from hospital, Brett Scott has won one of the feature races of the Warrnambool Carnival when experienced hurdler The Statesman shot clear to win the Galleywood Hurdle in Race 6.
It was an emotional victory for the former jumps jockey turned trainer, who recovered from a serious head injury which had him in an induced coma following a sickening incident at his Mornington property.
Despite its odds of $18-1, punters rejoiced all over the track for Scott as Will Gordon steered home the gelding by three lengths in a 3200m slog.
Speaking with Racing.com post-race Scott was just happy to be able to be trackside and interact with other trainers and punters.
“Just being here and talking to people and catching up with people I knew years ago was enough,” he said.
“I didn’t really think I would be here to be honest.”
The Galleywood is a race that had eluded Scott as a jockey, but the race owed him and delivered for him on Day 2 of the ‘Bool carnival as a trainer.
“It was a race that kept on going by me. I ran second a few times, but I just couldn’t win it. Until today as it turns out,” he said.
“Will Gordon rode him brilliantly and he was just too good.”
Race favourite Instigator ran second and locally trained Robbie’s Star rounded out a huge trifecta for anyone lucky enough to get a collect.