AFL stars Josh Jenkins and Michael Hurley have an exciting ride ahead of them with their five-year-old gelding Mach Denario.
Former teammates at Essendon, Bomber big man Hurley and now Adelaide Crows contested mark specialist Jenkins race the pacer, who is trained by Burrumbeet’s Michael Stanley, in conjunction with New Zealand trots idol Dexter Dunn.
Stanley, a good mate of Jenkins and Dunn, produced the impressive bay for a strong win in Friday night’s TAB.com.au Pacers Handicap over 2240 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton.
Driven by Jason Lee, Mach Denario worked to the lead at about the mile after stepping away safely from behind the tapes before posting an opening half of 60.3secs and finding the line in 57.8secs courtesy of two sub-29 latter splits (28.9secs each).
Mach Denario rated 1-59.8, the son of Mach Three/Flow Denario now boasting wins at three of his four runs since crossing the Tasman.
“It is great fun owning Mach Denario with Hurls and mates from Swan Hill. We have a group text and following his races keeps us close,” Jenkins said.
“My partner Hannah’s father has bred and raced horses so I’ve slowly become involved.”
Jenkins met Stanley through a mutual friend and has become the horseman’s biggest fan.
“I love his attitude to the sport. He supports my footy career so I’m happy to be his biggest fan in return. I’m no expert but I firmly believe Mick is knocking on the door of becoming one of the premier trainer-drivers,” Jenkins said.
“His work ethic is phenomenal and he has a great eye for horses. He handpicked both Koree Jayne (who Jenkins previously raced) and Mach Denario for us from New Zealand.”
Now that football season has wound up for his Crows, Jenkins says he’s looking forward to attending the trots in off-season.
“I look forward to getting across to Melton and a couple of the country cups so I can watch some quality harness racing,” he said.
>Re-live Mach Denario’s TAB.com.au Pacers Handicap win at Melton
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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