By Adam Hamilton
AS Lennytheshark started to roar through the open-class ranks, owner Kevin Riseley and trainer David Aiken knew they shared a burning desire.
Both had spent much of their life in harness racing. Neither had won an Inter Dominion final.
Both craved it.
When Lennytheshark ran a disappointing sixth as second favourite to Beautide in last season’s Sydney Inter Dominion final, Riseley and Aiken were gutted.
Lennytheshark pulled-up sick. Their dream was on hold again.
From that day, Aiken admits he and Riseley pledged to build everything around a perfectly executed assault on the Perth Inter Dominion.
Essentially, nothing else really mattered in between.
“We thought we had a horse good enough to win an Inter Dominion and we knew he’d be a lot more mature this time around,” Aiken said.
“Everything really fell into place along the way. Yes it’s how we planned it, but we had some luck as well, you always need luck.”
The luck was two-fold. Everything went to script for Lenny, while the two best performed pacers in this part of the world – Beautide and Christen Me – derailed with injury or illness.
So Lennytheshark inherited favouritism and delivered with three fantastic heats runs – for two wins and a huge second – then his mighty win in last Sunday’s final.
“I’ve dreamed of winning this race since was eight,” Aiken said. “My Dad was a trainer, I’ve been around so many top trainers and had some terrific horses myself.
“It’s the ultimate, the sport’s biggest race, the one we all want to win.”
The closest Aiken came was a narrow second on US import Ultra Jet behind Weona Warrior in Sydney’s 1994 final.
“You think you’ll get another crack it soon, but it doesn’t happen that way. Look how long I’ve waited,” he said.
Aiken praised his “host” trainer David Thompson, the facilities at the Byford training complex and the nearby Kwinana beach.
“Travelling horses is never easy, but this was a breeze. I couldn’t have asked for better hospitality, facilities and support. And that beach, wow, Lenny loved it. He went there almost every day,” Aiken said.
“We all had the most amazing time over here and to cap it by winning the final makes it so memorable. I’ll always treasure these three weeks.”
An emotional and voice-strained Riseley was overwhelmed after the win.
“You know how I’ve long I’ve been in the sport and how much I’ve wanted to win the Inter Dominion,” he said.
“I think the best chance I had was Anvil Vance in Hobart (1998) with Barry Purdon.”
Anvil Vance won a heat, ran second in his other two heats, but could only manage eighth in the final behind Our Sir Vancelot.
It painted a glorious picture as Riseley celebrated the win with three generations of his family, many of whom had spent 17 days in Perth for the series.
His three grandchildren waving their rubber sharks like Lennytheshark’s supporter club banners.
“That takes it to a different level. Having the family here. The win has come at a great time of time,” Riseley said.
And he was quick to heap praise on Aiken and his team.
“What a training performance and with a horse who has his history of injuries,” he said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of what the David and all his team has done with this horse.
“They’ve made my dream come true.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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