By Duane Ranger
Waikato junior reinsman Kyle Marshall continues to grow in stature in the sulky after driving more than a third of the card at the Cambridge-Te Awamutu Harness Racing Club meeting on Sunday.
The 21-year-old Cambridge-based horseman drove three of the eight winners on yesterday’s programme, including two for his father and trainer, Dave.
“It was awesome, quite unbelievable really. This is probably going to be my last year in the junior ranks so I want to give it my best shot. I want to compete in the Australasian Series and yesterday helped a lot,” Marshall said.
Marshall only had three drives yesterday and won behind his father’s duo of Donny Wood and Sarah Lindenny. He also saluted the judge behind the Dave Ironmonger trained Waipipi Falcon.
It’s the third time in six seasons that he has reined three winners in a day. Marshall has also achieved the feat at Manawatu and Cambridge.
“I got a lot of luck in the running and that helps a lot when you are out there competing against the best drivers. I’ll take it though,” he said.
Marshall was being typically humble. He is a better than average driver. He was the leading North Island reinsman with Andre Poutama last season (19 wins apiece), and at the North island Awards in September he was named NI Cadet-Of-The-Year.
“I owe a lot to so many people. There’s Dad who has set me up to drive his team and of course there’s the rest of my family and inspirational people like Peter Ferguson.
Actually I shouldn’t single any one out because I’d need a whole page to of names to thank them all,” he said.
Marshall said Sarah Lindenny was the best of his father’s six horses going around at present. Ironically she was the seventh favourite of seven in the fifth event and paid $22 to win.
“We’ve had the mare about four months. We got her off Colin Harrison who trained her out of Timaru. This was her first start for us after she last raced at Forbury Park in April.
“She has been working really well and although she’s had a couple of problems Dad appears to have ironed them out. The change of scenery I think has also done her the world of good,” said Marshall.
Donny Wood and Waipipi Falcon paid $7.10 and $33.30 to win respectively.
“They both needed the race to go their way and it did. They got their best trips in some time and I managed to get them over the line. “I’m rapt for Dad and Dave,” Marshall said.
The Arna Donnelly trained and Maurice McKendry driven Hudy Haxwell won the feature event by 2-1/2 lengths from stablemate Sicilian Secret (Donnelly).
Last week Donnelly believed both would go close to winning. They did with Hudy Haxwell pacing the 2200m mobile in 2:45.7 (mile rate 2:01.2) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 60.2 and 28.1.
Meanwhile Tony Herlihy (MNZM) only sent one horse south and won with $9.60 shot, Jaccka Mara. He was driven by Brent Mangos
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
