by Duane Ranger
It came down to a 0.159 of a point on the UDR strike rate, but Jack MacKinnon hasnailed the 2015-2016 Alexandra Park Junior Driving Premiership in the tightest of finishes.
As for the senior driving and training titles – well nothing has changed there. Tony Herlihy (MNZM) claimed his eighth consecutive Alexandra Park driving premiership and his ‘Strike Won’ Ardmore-based stables’ nabbed their fourth straight training title.
Herlihy (46) had nine wins to spare over Zac Butcher (37). Josh Dickie (31) was third. Training-wise Herlihy (40) had five wins to spare over Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen (35). Barry Purdon (29) was third.
But it was the Junior Driving Premiership that created the tightest finish. MacKinnon was rapt to have held out Andre Poutama and Kyle Marshall.
All three junior drivers finished with eight wins and the premiership was thusdecided on the UDR strike-rate.
“I just want to thank all the trainers and owners that have supported me in 2015-2016. It was a big help to have the opportunity to sit behind some nice horses throughout the season.
“I didn’t think I would get there on UDR because Andre and Kyle put up a massive performance in the last month, especially Kyle winning two on the last night of the season.
“I want to congratulate themboth. Any one of us could have won it,” 21-year-old MacKinnon said.
MacKinnon’s Alexandra Park statistics read: 101starts, eight wins, 15 seconds, nine thirds, and a 0.1914 UDR.
Poutama: 69 starts, eight wins, five second, four thirds and 0.1755 UDR.
Marshall: 78 starts, eight wins, five seconds, eight thirds and a 0.1724 UDR. Tony Cameron and Sean Grayling completed the top five with five wins apiece.
MacKinnon put his success last season down to experience and a better quality of horse he is now driving.
“I really wanted to win the Alexandra Park premiership. It was my goal last year and I finished in the top five. Coming to Robert’s (Dunn) stable was one of the best decision’s I’ve ever made.
“My driving has improved I think because Robert has a large team and therefore I can get better quality drives. I’m learning all the time. Robert is one of New Zealand’s best trainers. The statistics will tell you that. You never stop learning working for him,” MacKinnon said.
Overall MacKinnon drove 12 winners from 128 starters last season and placed 28 times for $145,123 in stakes. That was his best season by far. In 2014-2015 and 2013-2014 in drive five winners each and two the season before.
All up his career stats read 388 starts, 24 wins, 41 seconds, 32 thirds and $270,661 in stakes. His lifetime UDR stands at 0.1481.
“I just want to keep improving and learning more each year. Next season Iwould like to win the title again and to try and qualify for the AustralasianJuniors,” MacKinnon said.
The man who could easily be dubbed the ‘King-of-the-Park’ (Herlihy) said is was always special to win races and premierships on his ‘home’ track.
“I’m very proud to have won both premierships again especially on my favouritetrack. I just want to keep onachieving and this season has been a very good one.
“I think a better quality of horse and having very good staff around me has ensured the premierships. I’m grateful to all my staff for the hard work they do. I’m also thankful to all the owners who have horses with us and who have allowed me to drive them,” Herlihy said.
Forty six of Herlihy’s 61 driving wins in 2015-2016 came at Alexandra Park, while 40 of his 54 training victories also came at ‘The Park’. His total stakes tallies rested at $671,809 (driving) and $770,247 (training).
Fifty seven-year-old Herlihy also registered healthy Alexandra Park UDR strike rates of 0.3177 and 0.3154 respectively. His national UDR was 0.3079 and 0.3001.
Herlihy’s training and driving record during the past decade at Alexandra Park is as follows:
DRIVING – 2014-2015: 1st; 2013-2014: 1st; 2012-2013: 1st; 2011-2012: 1st; 2010-2011: 3rd; 2009-2010: 4th; 2008-2009: 1st; 2007-2008: 5th; 2006-2007: 3rd.
TRAINING – 2014-2015: 1st; 2013-2014: 1st; 2012-2013: 1st; 2011-2012: 3rd; 2010-2011: 1st; 2009-2010: 1st; 2008-2009: 1st; 2007-2008: 3rd; 2006-2007: 2nd.
Herlihy and MacKinnon will receive trophies from the Auckland Trotting Club for their respective victories.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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