by Duane Ranger
Kim Blakemore’s victory behind the Brendon Hill trained Rummage at Addington Raceway last completed a quadruple of wins for the Auckland-based Blakemore family – but one of them will soon be Perth-bound.
Twenty-year-old Kim is the youngest of Danny and Mary Anne’s four children and the only one living in the South Island. Dad Danny (53), Kelly (25), Michael (22) Kim have now all reined home New Zealand winners.
None of them have yet to salute the judge in Australia but Michael could be doing that within a couple of weeks as he will be employed by Greg Bond in Western Australia.
“It’s a bit of a shame really because I will lose my stable driver telling me what to do. He’s currently working for Brent Mangos and will leave next week. It’s a great opportunity for Michael.
“Greg operates one of the best stables in Perth and the change can only do him the world of good. He should learn a lot over there. It will give him a chance to diversify his knowledge,” Blakemore said.
If Michael had won at Cambridge Raceway last Thursday, three Blakemore’s would have won a New Zealand tote race all within the space of 24 hours.
“Michael finished third in the first race behind Danke, I won the second amateur event behind the pacer I train – Zakspatrol, and then Kim won on Friday.
“I was very proud of Kim’s drive. It’s only taken her 10 starts to achieve her first win. I told her to get up the horse because that’s the way I drive. She was better than that. I didn’t think she was going to get out. She left it very late but she knew what she was doing,” Blakemore said.
“It was a bit hard on the nerves,” he added.
Blakemore was quick to point out that he and his wife have four children.
“Our oldest daughter Angela is an accountant in the city. I think she’s the only one with any brains,” Dad said.
Actually Blakemore said he was pleased with the careers his children had chosen in life.
“They are following in their father’s footsteps aren’t they? I know there’s not much money to be made in racing but you are working for a long time and it’s important you enjoy what you do in life. Money isn’t everything. I think being happy in your job is more important,” Blakemore said.
His children were introduced to harness racing via Kidz Kartz. The three siblings have all won an Auckland Cup, while Michael has also won a New Zealand Cup and Kelly has also won a New Zealand Kidz Kartz Cup and an Interdominion Final.
Kelly, who is now employed at Woodlands Stud retired from driving in 2014. She has driven the most wins in her family but lost confidence in the sulky after experiencing a couple of accidents.
“It’s always a great thing for parents to see their children enjoying their work and succeeding. I’m Leicester City through and through and that once-in-alifetime-dream has gone so now it’s time to enjoy the family racing again – and show em who’s boss,” Blakemore joked.
Here’s the Blakemore family stats:
Kelly drove 19 winners and won $195,116 from 312 drives between 2009-2014 – UDR strike rate 0.1403.
Michael has reined 10 winners and won $86,186 from 137 drives since 2013 – UDR strike rate 0.1557.
Danny has won seven amateur races and won $34,365 from 54 starts since 2008. He also reined home one graduation winner in the 2002-2003 season. His UDR strike rate sits at 0.2778.
Kim has driven one winner and won $6,418 from 10 starts. This is her second season of driving and her UDR strike rate currently sits at 0.1557.
But Dad is the only Blakemore to have trained a winner – 15 in fact since the 2005-2006 season. All up he’s won $108,440 from his 227 lifetime starters and his UDR strike rate is currently 0.1312.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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