Veteran reinswoman bounces back from horrific fall

IT DIDN’T take veteran horsewoman Gaita Pullicino long to make her way back to the winners’ circle.

Competing at her second meeting since returning from a nasty race fall, Pullicino was successful behind Shadow Hunter at Globe Derby yesterday.

Pullicino was sidelined after a collision at the same venue on October 30.

Describing the aftermath as her worst medical condition within the industry, Pullicino suffered a severe concussion.

“It initially took me three weeks to get over it, and just as I thought I was right after that three weeks, it came back a few days later,” Pullicino said. “There were times I’d get dizzy and lose all sense of balance for no reason.

“I couldn’t even get out of bed some mornings.

“I’ve been very lucky to never have such a serious fall that I’ve broken a bone, but this really knocked me around.

“It’s taken me six weeks to come good, which is pretty much the same as breaking an arm for example.”

Trained by Pullicino’s husband, Frank, Shadow Hunter was quickly angled to the pegs from barrier two to gain the run of the race behind the odds-on favourite, Selaphobia, which led from the pole.

Taken three-wide along the back straight, the son of Shadow Play sustained a strong sprint to score by six metres from Melody May.

Im The Mighty Judd was three metres away third in 1:58.1 over 1800 metres.

“It was great to get that first win back on the board,” Pullicino said. “He got the perfect trip and I was able to get a clear run with him in plenty of time.

“I was happy with the way he hit the line, and on that run, he will win a few more.”