By Duane Ranger
It might have taken 73 drives but Trent Lethaby is on the board, and although he was a little bit annoyed it took him so long, the 18-year-old is just relieved he has finally saluted the judge.
The Papakura-based Cantabrian said he was delighted that he could break his duck behind a horse trained by his West Melton-based uncles Jason and Scott Lethaby.
The victory came when Bubbly Babe won the third event at the Manawatu Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Palmerston North on Thursday night.
“It’s great to get that first win especially behind a horse I own. It was also awesome that the mare was trained and prepared by my family. That made it even more special.
“I won’t forget this. I’m rapt,” Lethaby said.
The teenager nailed his first win in the Royden Williams Photography Mobile for maiden pacers.
It was a wonderful drive from Lethaby. He managed to settle the 4-year-old McArdle mare three-deep on the markers from her wide (8) draw.
He then took her to the parked position down the back the last time. In the straight the daughter of McArdle simply out-toughed them to grind past Here Comes Helen and Andrew Drake by half a length.
Bubbly Babe paced the 2000m mobile for the junior drivers in 2:35.3 (mile rate 2:04.9) – last 800m and 400m in 62.5 and 31.3.
It was Bubbly Babe’s debut race after winning a trial and workout for the Lethabys at Motukarara this month (October). She was bred by Grainger & Rankin Bloodstock and is owned by Lethaby and Tui Blackburn.
“I bought her a couple of weeks ago, but race-day was the first day I had actually seen the horse. All the credit goes to Jason, Scott and my Grandad (David).
“I own the mare with Tui. He helps Jay in the morning. My family have done a great job with her. She will stay up here now and race out of Jay’s stable,” Lethaby said.
Lethaby has been employed by Jay Abernethy at Papakura since May. He replaced Irishman Sean Kane who returned to his homeland.
Lethaby previously worked for Cran Dalgety at West Melton. The Riccarton High School educated horseman has also worked for his uncles as well as Mark Jones.
His father Brett Hampton was also a junior driver, who is now a farrier in the United States.
“I love it up here. Jay and Sailesh are really good to work for. I’m learning a lot and there are a heap more opportunities for me up here.
“They have been very generous with their drives. I really want to thank them for all they have done for me. In fact I want to thank everyone I have worked for. They have all taught me so much and I’m very grateful for that knowledge,” Lethaby said.
“Dexter Dunn also taught me a lot when I worked for Cran,” he added.
Lethaby had three drives on the first night of the meeting, and also finished fourth behind Starry delight in race seven and 10thwith Franco Lennox in race two.
Lethaby believed the Doug Gale trained Franco Lennox (race six) was the best of his three drives on the second day.
“He’s drawn well (2) and I think he can really test the field from there. He is much better than what he showed on the first night,” said Lethaby.
He will also steer Bubbly Babe from the second row (9) in race three, and the Gale trained Starry Delight from the same barrier in the fifth event.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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