By Duane Ranger
Eager Pukekohe teenager, Nathan Delany, cant wait until Friday rolls around.
The 17-year-old Franklin junior driving gets his best chance to break through for his maiden victory at Alexandra Park on Friday night with two of his best winning chances yet.
Delaney had his first race-night drive behind the Dave and Clare McGowan trained Phoebe Gem at ‘The Park’ on March 7.
He’s had 10 drives since then and rated Phoebe Gem the best of his two winning chances on Friday.
“I’m quite excited because she has a nice draw to work with (2) and hasn’t been too far away lately. I think she can go close, but then again so can Stunning Shadow (7) in the first race,” Delany said.
“I’ve been wanting to win my first race ever since I wanted to be a junior driver when I was 14. It would be a dream come true. I just don’t hope it takes forever to come around,” he added.
Both horses are trained by the McGowans. They have been big supporters of Delany, as has fellow Pukekohe trainer, Paulette Screen.
“I’ve got so many people I want to thank for letting me live my dream. Everyone has been so supportive of me, especially my Mum (Judith). She is my number one fan and I have everything because of her. Without her encouragement and support I wouldn’t be driving on Friday.
“I got hooked when Mum worked for Paulette and I used to go there as much as I could when I was 14. All I want to do then and now is drive winners,” Delany said.
If that elusive first win doesn’t happen on Friday night, it will surely happen soon. Delany is employed by John Street at Ray Green’s powerful Pukekohe stable.
“I love it here and am very fortunate at just 17 to be employed by one of the North Island’s top stables. John and Ray are so good to work for. They really look after me and I try to pay them back by listening and carrying out their instructions.
“You never stop learning here. I’m so lucky and grateful because I hated Pukekohe High School when I went there. I so much wanted to be working in a stable rather than a classroom,” Delany said.
Delany was born in Auckland and raised in Wellington. He came to Franklin just over five years ago.
“When I first started going to Paulette’s I got involved in Kidz Karts and that really got me hooked. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a reinsman. I drove a few Kidz Kartz winners. It’s hard to believe that was just 18 months ago,” he said.
Phoebe Gem (R45) will be looking to notch up her first win in eight starts (three starts at Alexandra Park) in Friday’s $9,000 Balle Brothers Maiden Handicap Trot.
Mass Destruction (8), Halley’s Last (7), Mortician (1), and Billy At Salsa (5) will be the toughest for Phoebe Gem to beat but Trot Tech (HRNZ) has selected Stunning Shadow and Destined For Heaven (4) to fight out the first race.
Fifteen of Stunning Shadow’s 19 starts have been at Alexandra Park. He will be looking to nail his third career win in the $9,000 Franklin Park Yearling Parade July 29 Mobile for the Up to R55 pacers.
The 2200m mobile is a junior driving event. Both of Stunning Shadow’s wins have been over this distance.
“I’m fired up and really keen to give it my best shot. I think my first win can finally come on Friday, but in racing there’s no such thing as a racecourse certainty – but in saying that get on,” the confident South Aucklander said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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