by Duane Ranger
The big gentle giant who doesn’t win them out of turn has rewarded trainer Jason Cossey for the second time in 21 months.
That was the last time Megatron won for his Stratford conditioner and co-owner, Cossey. That was at the Wairarapa Harness Racing Club’s meeting in October 2015.
Yesterday (Sunday) the duo and driver Philip Butcher combined to score at the Hawera Harness Racing Club’s grass track meeting.
There were 11 horses in the $7,000 Conan Rowlands Contractor Mobile for the up to 47 rated pacers. Megatron was the 11th favourite and paid $32.40 to win.
“I didn’t even know where he was until about the 200 metres. That’s when the colours came into view. Prior to that I didn’t really know where to look.
“It was a very pleasant surprise to see him loom up outside Cut the Cards and then get her measure short of the line. I’m still celebrating,” the Taranaki dairy farmer said a couple of hours after the race.
“It’s certainly a better feeling than Megatron’s eighth at New Plymouth on Thursday,” he added.
Butcher had Megatron in third place early and then in the one-one down the back straight. In the straight Megatron and Cut The Cards left their nine opponents to it with the former out-staying the latter by half a length.
Megatron paced the 1900m mobile in 2:29.1 (mile rate 2:06.3) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 63.4 and 31.6.
It was the 7-year-old son of Lis Mara and Miss Operative’s third win in 54 starts. He is owned by Cossey and his father Spencer. David Kaa trained him to his first win in March 2013.
“He’s just a lovely big gentle giant. He’s the sort of horse any trainer would love to have around the stable. Although he’ll never be a star he’s a just a nice horse to work with,” Cossey said.
Cossey said it was a thrill to be on-track with his father and watch the big gelding win.
“I’m usually milking cows. This is the first time I’ve seen him win. I think I’ll start him next at the Kapiti meeting,” 45-year-old Cossey said.
Cossey has two horses in work – the other a 2-year-old Ebony N Ivory – Elite Dash filly named Red River Dash.
“I’ll always have a horse or two. Dad was the same. He has been involved in horses since his teens and basically I’ve followed suit.
“I love harness racing. It’s provided me with some real happy times,” Cossey said.
Cossey has now trained four winners since 2011.
Megatron’s two wins aside, he conditioned McRobbie to win at the Kaipiti Coast meeting in January 2015. His first career win came via Rich Earl at Manawatu in November 2013. Farley Cossey drove both.
Meanwhile, the Doug Gale trained Harry H was the only horse to win on both days of the Taranaki meetings.
Peter Ferguson drove the Muscles Yankee gelding to win the opening event at New Plymouth and then yesterday Jay Abernethy drove the 4-year-old to win the second event at Hawera.
In fact Abernethy had a profitable day at Hawera.
He also drove the Gale trained Daenerys Stormborn to win the opening event. He also trained and drove the $2 favourite Collection to victory in the third race.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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