By Duane Ranger
The Victorian businessman who sponsored races at Addington Raceway and Alexandra Park for five and three years respectively got his karma big-time in Melbourne last weekend.
In fact Michael Taranto described September 29 and 30 as the two of the best days of his life.
“I’m still staggered by what happened. Outside of family harness racing and football (Aussie Rules) have been my greatest passions. Even today I can’t separate them,” Taranto said.
“All I know is I’ve had a magnificent four days celebrating,” the 65-year-old added.
On Friday afternoon Taranto went and watched his beloved Richmond Tigers parade with the Adelaide Crows in downtown Melbourne.
He then shot off to Shepperton to watch his Skyvalley mare, Sky Majesty notch up her 10th win in 41 starts ($84,558), and third in a row at Shepperton.
The following day his 37-year wait was over – his beloved Tigers won the AFL final.
“There were tears. My team and I have bore the brunt of a lot of jokes since 1980 – and we finally won the thing. I was so happy. I had my wife and two boys there watching it with me at the MCG.
“I was so overcome with emotion. I knew once they made the final they would be hard to beat. To come from 13th at the start of the year and win it is an absolute dream come true,” said Taranto.
“I even told your CEO, Edward Rennell to back them – and they weren’t even favourites,” he added.
The Tigers won by a whopping 108 to 60, while the Laura Crossland trained and driven favourite, Sky Majesty, got the chocolates by six metres. They paid and $2.30 and $1.60 respectively.
“I remember I was 18 when we were last crowned premiers. I was at the ground and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have to wait 37 years for my team to lift the trophy again.
“Sky Majesty winning the night before topped off a very good weekend,” Taranto said.
Taranto owns the Seelite Windows and Door company in Melbourne. He has sponsored numerous races on both sides of the Tasman including the Group Two New Zealand Sires’ Stakes 2YO Trotting Championship from 2010 to 2014.
“I’ve been involved in harness racing for 35-plus years and in 2003 I bought my first horse from your (NZ) Sales with my good friend Bruce Hutton.
“The horse’s name was Wideford Hill and that same year we also bought Rhythm Of The Night, who went on to finish third in the Interdominion Final.
“New Zealand has been good to me and that is why I sponsored races over there. I have many good friends in the game in New Zealand including Edward, Jim Curtin and Colin de Filippi,” Taranto said.
He said his main breeding focus these days was centred around the American industry. He owns the Donato Hanover – My Dolly’s Dream mare, Mystery Woman.
“She won half a million dollars in stakes at two, three and four, and amazingly still holds the world record for 4yo trotting mares. She went 1:51 at the Red Mile.
“I’m so looking forward to the Harrisburg Sale in Lexington on November 6. That is when her first colt (by Muscle Hill) will be up for sale.
“I’ll be the one ring-side biting my finger nails and crossing my fingers, legs, arms, you name it. I can’t wait. It’s going to be another nerve-wrecking day again,” Taranto said.
For the record Taranto said the best horse he had been involved with was Cruisin Around, a Bacardi Lindy – Cloud Chaser gelding, who has won 13 of his 28 starts ($178,622). He last raced in April and is trained by Michael Hughes and Greg Sugars does the driving.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
