By Duane Ranger
Kumeu trainer Tim Vince has made a flying start to the 2015-2016 season and his four runners at Cambridge Raceway tonight are all capable of getting the chocolates.
Vince works four horses with his partner Sheryl Wigg at their new property just a few hundred metres from the Kumeu track.
He said Chal Shocked (R1), KD Hall (R3), Drover’s Eyre (R6), and Shards Phoenix (R9) were all capable of winning if things went their way tonight. Vince has elaborated on their prospects individually below.
He said the majority of his work is done on his own 600m track that comes with his property and he only went to Kumeu perhaps once a week, if that.
“We don’t give out horses a lot of fast-work. You have to remember we are dealing with older horses who have reached their mark and we try and we are attempting to rejuvenate them.
“Actually Kevin Smith (Auckland Trotting Club Racing manager) inspired and taught me quite a bit about about training the older horses.
“He told me that older horses who had reached their mark would never improve but they could still win races if you could re-freshen or rejuvenate them. He said you had to do something different to get the best out of them and that’s why I do a lot of heat-work with them,” Vince said.
“My horses mainly race at Cambridge and Manawatu and usually animals that have been passed on. I like to buy amateur-type horses. I paid $2,000 for Drover’s Eyre and my most expensive horse is KD Hall which cost $10,000.
“He goes okay at Auckland at time, but really my team is better suited to $8,000 races and below. That’s about their limit,” said Vince who lines up two 7yos, a 6yo, and a 5yo tonight.
Since Vince took up training in 2011 he has improved his season tally every year. His annual winning stats read three wins, then five, five, seven, and nine last season.
So far in 2015-2016 Vince has had 11 starters to the races for three wins, one second and one third. His UDR strike-rate is a ‘ridiculous’ 0.3838.
“It’s not about winning money for me. It’s about winning races and having fun. I’d say with the four-strong team I’ve got at the moment I’d be happy if we could get to nine wins again this season.
“We usually come right late but I think two or three of them have almost reached their mark. I’m always looking for other horses to buy and train, so who knows what the season will bring, but I’d be happy with nine,” a modest Vince said.
Once an avid amateur Vince openly admits his partner is now the driver of their team in amateur races.
“To put it quite wimple – Sheryl is a better driver than me. She has always been a horse woman, having been a former jockey. She knows how to win races and can win the first race on Friday. I love the training these days and that suits me.
“I’m happy with the occasional amateur drive but not as keen as what I used to be. I haven’t driven yet this season,” he said.
“And the great thing about it all is that I wake up every day and no-one makes me do what I do. I do it because I love harness racing and enjoy working and racing my own team,” he added.
Here’s what Vince, the current North Island Owner-Trainer-Of-the-Year, had to say about his quartet lining up at the Harness Racing Waikato meeting at Cambridge Raceway tonight:
Race 1: Chal Shocked (3) Sheryl Wigg: “We bought this fella from the South Island in August and he’s as tough as old boots but doesn’t have huge speed. He’s going pretty well at the moment and he’s as good as I can get him. He always gives 150% and it’s hard to see him going a bad race here.”
Race 3: KD Hall (5) Jack MacKinnon (j): “He is our best winning chance on the night. Barry (Purdon) usually drives him but he’s in Australia this week. We weren’t going to line him up down there but the Club has been so good to us and the numbers were thin so we decided to return their support. He went well last start despite the gallop and I can only put that down to the rough weather and bad track. He should go close in this.”
Race 6: Drover’s Eyre (1) Jack MacKinnon (j): “We lined him up in this know full-well he would get the one draw with his R47 rating. He’s a cheap horse who seems to be responding tom our heat treatment. We’ve changed his shoes and if he can get a nice sit in the trail or three-deep he can get some of it.”
Race 9: Shards Phoenix (7) Jack MacKinnon (j): “She placed here two starts back but she is too highly rated for the ability she has, and if she does win again I may be forced to retire her because there would be no-where I could place her where she would be competitive. It’s hard to see her winning from the draw but with luck in the running she could place.”
Driver comment: “Jack’s a good driver and should have a good night. If he doesn’t I want his driving fees back for the support I’ve given him,” Vince joked.
Footnote: There were also be 500 teachers on-course on Friday for the annual ‘Schools Night Challenge’.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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