By Tayler Strong
Laurence Hanrahan posted his 200th New Zealand training win when landing a treble with reinsman Ricky May at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
Hanrahan brought up the double century when Cullen Keefe led over the last 1600m. He later won with Pocket Of Jewels and Bute Courage, both rated in front by May. Cullen Keefe and Bute Courage are raced by Sam and Nancy Taylor, of London, Ontario. Hanrahan had won a double for the Taylors with Kid Galahad and Bute Courage at Waikouaiti in 2014. Kid Galahad, who won seven races in New Zealand, was exported two months later to Canada and his since won for Taylor.
Hanrahan races Pocket Of Jewels with his wife, Justine and father, Laurence, who raced Highwood, winner of the $20,000 group two Dunedin Trotting Cup in 1988 when driven by May and raced in partnership with trainer Warren Stapleton.
Laurence jun had his other training treble when he won with Cruzem, Mister Gee D and Sir Lance at Winton in December, 2003. He trained his first winner, Star Bar at Methven in March, 1990 with May the driver.
Members of the BPL, Griffins and Seafield Trotting syndicates were celebrating their first quinella after Bet Pray Love held off the fast finishing Dark Horse in the Merle Shaw Memorial Trot.
The race was in memory of the mother of syndicate member, Robert McIntosh, of Oamaru.
The syndicates comprise most of the same persons. BPL race Bet Pray Love who is held on lease from syndicate member Noel Bennett and trainer Michael House. Bet Pray Love attending the meeting wearing the cover used on Castleton’s Mission, the first winner for many of the syndicate members when successful in the Sires’ Stakes Final for 2yr-old trotters at Addington in 2000. Castleton’s Mission, winner of 15 races was trained by House. Dark Horse is raced by the Griffins andSeafield Trotting syndicates from the stable of Nathan Williamson.
Bet Pray Love tracked pacemaker, Moa Bones until Dexter Dunn sent her clear at the 250m and she lasted by a neck from the 3yr-old filly, Dark Horse, who settled sixth and nine lengths from the leader. Dark Horse is shaping well for the NZ Trotting Oaks on April 1. Williamson trained and drove Chal Shocked to win for Washdyke breeder, Ross Herbert who races the 4yr-old with Barry McCallum, of Oamaru, Daryl and Phillip Ramsay, of Timaru. Chal Shocked (Jereme’s Jet- Chal Roco) is a half brother to Chal Fire (three wins in NZ and 12 in Australia) and Chal Dream (five).
Another 3yr-old trotting filly, Sundons Flyer began her racing career with a clearcut win. Sundons Flyer, who qualified at Methven five days earlier, is trained by Bruce Negus, who races her with his wife, Colleen and John Gledhill, of Christchurch. She is by Sundon and the first foal of Feather’s First, a winner at Ashburton in 58 starts. Feather’s First (Brylin Boyz – Flying Feathers) is a sister to Featherflight (eight wins), Feather Boyz (five) and Flyingboyz (two).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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