By Matt Markham
Jack Harrington is hoping his first success as a trainer is only the tip of the iceberg.
The former New Zealand Darts representative kicked off his training career at Addington when debutant trotter Hey Yo sat parked the entire and won with plenty to spare in the hands of Blair Orange. And while the daughter of former open class trotting mare, Toomuch To Do looks the perfect horse to leapfrog a young trainer’s career, Harrington is remaining optimistic and sticking to his long term plan.
He’s setting himself up a base at his parent’s property in Mandeville in North Canterbury and working five horses while also driving fast-work for Andrew Stuart. But it’s through breaking in horses that the 21-year-old is turning his immediate focus too in the hope of building himself a clientele base for the future.
“Hopefully be doing ‘breakers’ for a while I’ll be able to pick up the odd horse to pre-train and hopefully then train after that.
“But I’ll still be training the odd one of my one along the way too to keep things ticking over.
“I don’t want to rush into it all too quickly. I’m prepared to wait for things to happen.’’
While he waits though, Harrington is definitely going to have some fun with Hey Yo.
The four-year-old mare had performed with plenty of distinction at trials and workouts leading into her debut but was forced to do it tough sitting outside of the leader for the entire race.
“She went five times better than what I thought she would sitting parked like that.
“I’ve got a bit of time for her though.’’
Hey Yo arrived in Harrington’s care one day without much warning after being purchased from Gary Argyle by Jack’s father Dave, who is also a former New Zealand Darts representative.
“She’s had tendon troubles so I just turned her out for three months and have taken things pretty cautiously with her.
“Initially she didn’t show a lot early on but one day it all clicked and she’s been pretty exciting ever since.’’
Prior to Hey Yo’s debut, Harrington had lined up two other horses at the races for just the solitary placing.
Incidentally his first win as a trainer came at the same meeting at which he drove his first winner, Nicaela for his then employer, Robbie Holmes. And to add just a little more uncanniness to the mix the win came in the same race.
Harrington was waiting to have a good debrief with Orange before deciding on his next plan although he did have his eyes on the C1 trot on Cup Day.
“She can be a little funny from the stand, she’s actually on the unruly but I’ll talk to Blair and see what he thinks.’’
There is a C1-C2 mobile on Show Day which may appeal more.
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