By Duane Ranger
Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis have been left scratching their heads after Princess Mackendon’s third win in four starts in the feature trot at Alexandra Park last Friday night.
“I think she’s met her mark and I have no idea where she will go from here. Michelle and I will speak to her owners, but she will be handicapped out of it now. The ratings system just doesn’t work for filly and mare trotters. We have four or five in the same boat. Makarewa Jake is another fine example of a trotter continually racing out of his grade.
“I’ve always been an advocate of more mares and fillies races for the squaregaiters but the idea has always fallen on deaf ears,” Hackett said.
He said Friday’s result in the feature trot – the $14,999 Sextor Handicap for the R63 to R90 trotters, proved his point.
“The first three home (Princess Mackendon, Yagunnakissmeornot, Tereskova) were all mares. In fact half the field were mares,” he said.
The 56-year-old Waiuku horseman hoped Princess Mackendon wouldn’t follow in the hoof steps of her former stablemates – Charming Lavra, Rock Tonight, and Gin.
“They are all racing with success in Australia now. They are in their right grades. Charming Lavra won four races in New Zealand and has gone on to win 14 all-up in Australia. She’s also won more than $100,000 and recorded a 1:56 mile (1:55.7).
“Over here she’d be hard pressed winning three or four. We exported her in 2015, Rock Tonight the following year, and Gin in March. It means the mares can get black type when they hit the broodmares paddock,” Hackett said.
“Trotting broodmares don’t get that opportunity here. The ratings system is crucifying them,” he added.
However Hackett said he was grateful for the junior claim in Friday’s 2700m standing start.
“That’s what made her competitive. Putting Tony (Cameron) on her proved to be the difference. He’s driving really well at the moment, and again he got the best out of the horse. I don’t think she deserved to pay $22.30 to win,” said Hackett.
Cameron got Princess Mackendon away smoothly from her 20m handicap and they were fourth around the first corner.
With two laps remaining they were still fourth on the markers and then three-seep turning for home.
Then in the lane the Skyvalley mare showed exceptional acceleration to get past firstly get past Tereskova and Dr Luk Chin, and then hold out the fast-finishing Yagunnakissmeornot (Maurice McKendry MNZM).
It was Princess Mackendon’s eighth career win, and fifth this season. She held on by a nose, stopping the clock in 3:29.1 (mile rate 2:04.6) and came home in 60.1 and 30.3.
“She’s a lovely mare, who is very underrated. I have won three races on her now. Bernie and Michelle have got her going along really well at present,” said Cameron.
Wallis and Hackett also won the second event on Friday – the $10,000 Mitavite Maiden with the Tony Herlihy (MNZM) driven with Billy At Salsa.
Then the following day their daughter Tyler rode Blood And Whisky to win the Monte Saddle Trot at the Pukekohe Workouts the following day.
“At least we have Monte Trots to fall back on with a couple of our horses. They are proving very popular and Michelle and I really want to get it off the ground here in New Zealand.
“It is also a good way to give a horse a light workout before race-day. That’s exactly why I lined up Blood And Whisky before his race at Alexandra Park next Friday,” Hackett said.
“When we held the exhibition Monte trot at Alexandra Park recently I was in the stand and could hardly get a seat. There were so many people lined up across the rail watching the race. Hopefully that’s one option for our trotters one day. The sport needs a breath of fresh air,” he added.
Herlihy was the most successful horseman at the meeting driving three winners – Billy At Salsa (race 2); the Steven Reid trained $1.40 favourite Star Galleria in the feature pace (race 7); and the Tim Vince trained Franco Hamilton (race 8).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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