By Duane Ranger
Dr Luk Sun Chin has never bought a race horse in his life.
And after notching up his 100th driving success behind Djokovic at Alexandra Park last night (May 3) the Hamilton doctor knows he will never have to dip into his pocket to buy standardbred horse flesh.
Chin breeds, owns, trains, drives and even shoes all of his own horses. He has done since he first took out his training licence in 1980.
He has bred and owned more than 100 winners and in 2013 Chin notched up his 100th training success. He’s now trained 116 winners and banked just over $1 million in purses.
“To drive, train, own, and breed 100 winners is something I am very proud of. My CV is now complete,” the 72-year-old Tamahere horseman said.
Chin actually recorded his 100th and 101st driving wins when Djokovic and Tereskova won the third and fifth events on last night’s nine-race Auckland Trotting Club card.
Djokovic, who was the $3.20 second favourite in the $13,200 Tropical Handicap for the C1 and C2 trotters, started from three on the 10m line.
After his usual slick beginning Chin had the 5-year-old gelding in front after 200 metres. He then dictated before taking a sit behind the pace-making Twelve Monkeys (Maurice McKendry) with two laps remaining.
In the lane they had too much sprint for their 10 opponents winning easily by three quarters of a length. The son of Sundon trotted the 2700m stand in 3:34.9 (mile rate 2:08) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 61.2 and 30.9.
It was Djokovic’s sixth victory in 51 starts and he has won $65,447 in stakes. C. Heberley, R. J. Eriksen, and Miss J. R. Anderson also have shares in the bay.
Fifty three minutes later Chin was back saluting the judge with his 5-year-old mare, Tereksova in the $13,500 Central Landscapes Mobile for C1 to C3 trotters.
They hit the front down the back straight the first time and never relented the lead winning by a head from Sir George Grey and Ben Butcher.
Tereskova trotted the 2200m mobile in 2:49.1 (mile rate 2:03.6) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 59.9 and 31.1.
It was the Monarchy mare’s fifth win in 45 starts. She has also banked $48,094 in stakes. R. J. Eriksen, A. C Payne, K. A. Urwin, and C. J. Crosse are all lessees of the talented bay.
Tereskova was the $8.20 third favourite.
“This is a great thrill. I especially like Djokovic and Tereskova. I think they both have a lot of potential. I’ve also got a lot of time for a Pegasus Spur – Gorchakova filly named Lukyanova. She has just turned four,” Chin said.
“This is a night to remember. I am very happy. A great night at the office,” he added.
Chin has an enviable training a driving record this season.
He could have notched up his 100th driving success six days earlier when Tereskova won a heat of the “Island Of Origin’ Series in the hands of the ‘Methven Maestro’ Ricky May.
Chin has now won two of his five races in the sulky this season and placed in one other. He is currently ninth on the national training premiership with three wins and a placing from six starts.
His 0.5556 UDR strike rate says it all really.
So what’s his secret?
“Get a quality broodmare and cross her with a proven stallion. It’s what I’ve done since day one. There’s no rocket science the way I breed my horses. It’s simply getting a good mare and breeding her to the best.
“I know there are many theories and breeding crosses that people swear by, but that’s the way I do it,” Chin said.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
