By Duane Ranger
“That one’s for you bro!”
They were Mark Heaton’s the very first thoughts as Contractual Issues crossed the line in Sunday’s $7,000 Speedy Signs Mobile for the C1 pacers at Manawatu Raceway.
It was Heaton’s first training victory since Aveross Star won for him at Blenheim on January 15, 2010.
“It hasn’t been easy. Actually it’s been hard yacker since my last win, but this one was very special. It’s one I will remember forever,” Blenheim-based Heaton said.
The 65-year-old was offered Contractual Issues at his brother Grant’s funeral in June.
“My brother died in his sleep on June 25. He was just 50. He had pneumonia and no-one knew about it.
“Then I met Mark Nichol at his funeral. He was a good friend of Grant’s and owned and bred Contractual Issues. He offered me the horse and said he was excess to his demand and he wanted to move him on.
“It was such a kind gesture for my late brother. We took him and that was his third start for us yesterday. He missed away on the first day and I thought he would be tough to beat on Sunday,” Heaton said.
He said it was an emotional victory.
“It’s been a tough few months. There were a few tears shed after the win I can tell you that. It was a sentimental victory alright. My family were absolutely delighted.
“We know Grant would have been rapt to see the horse win in my colours,” Heaton said.
The Wellington-born Marlborough horseman also paid a tribute to Canterbury trainer and driver Terry Chmiel.
“Terry drove him first-up for us at Motukarara on November 22 and insisted we take him to Manawatu.
“I was a bit reluctant to take the horse all the way up there but said if we took the him Terry believed he would win. Sure enough! This was Terry’s idea that came to fruition. I can’t thank him enough,” Heaton said.
Heaton, who is a glazier by trade, these days drives a forklift at a Marlborough mussel factory. He has two horses in work – the other being maiden pacer, Rebel Richie.
Contractual Issue’s second career win in 21 starts was Heaton’s third win after Aveross Star won twice for him in 2009 and 2010. Heaton has also recorded four placings.
“My wife (Naomi) told me I had rocks in my head when I told her I wanted to buy a racehorse that someone else didn’t want back in 2008. That’s been my life story with horses really.
“I have been getting people’s cast offs and then trying to win races with them. I love the sport and am passionate about it. I wouldn’t be doing this is I didn’t enjoy what I was doing,” he said.
Heaton paid $300 for Aveross Star off the late Dennis Crawford and his wife Anne back in 2008.
“He ended up winning more than $21,000 so it was a worthwhile – and I won with him at his first-up.
“I’m still pretty raw but I owe a lot of people a big thank-you for what they have done for me. Murray and Graham Neal taught me how to gear up a horse.
“The Gill family have also been a great help as has Brent Weaver more recently. If it wasn’t for all of them I’d probably still be watching races on TV and having nothing to do with the horses.
“That win was for all of them as well,” Heaton said.
Junior driver Andre Poutama flew the mobile arm from gate six with Contractual Issues and led early before handing up to favourite Atom Hanover (Jonny Cox) down the back straight the first time.
That’s where they remained until the home turn, where they sprinted along the passing lane to win by three quarters of a length.
Contractual Issues paced the 2000m mobile in 2:31.7 (mile rate 2:02 even) with final 800m and 400m bursts of 62.6 and 31.4.
Heaton said the 4-year-old Elsu gelding would now go out for seven days.
“He’s raced three times in a week so I’ll give him a little freshener and then possibly look at the West Coast and local racing with him next month,” said Heaton.
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