First winning treble for Delany

Auckland reinsman Nathan Delany kicked off his harness racing season in the best possible fashion when recording a winning treble at Tauherenikau on Monday (Dec. 2).

It was a return home of sorts for Delany, who spent his youth just over the Remutaka Range in Wellington, and he was delighted it was at the Wairarapa venue that he recorded the first double and treble of his career.

He got off to a flying start when reining home Mocca Francy (Pegusus Spur) to take out the opening race on the six-race card, before quickly adding to his tally with Rollwithit for trainer Michael House, and he bookended the meeting with the John Gommans-trained Whiskey On The Rocks in the last.

“I was brought up in Wellington, so it is good to be back home,” Delany said.

“I came down for four drives and was hoping for the best and they obviously went well and three of them got a win.

“That was my first time getting a double and a treble, so it is a pretty big thrill.

“The owners are happy, so I am happy. That’s the main thing.

“Mocca Francy stepped away like a stag. You couldn’t really fault her. I just sat in the trail and it was done from there.

MOCCA FRANCY REPLAY

“Rollwithit just got a bit keen at the start. I didn’t expect him to kick on like he did, but he was really good.

“Andre (Poutama) gave me some advice on how to drive Whisky On The Rocks, so I have to give him some credit on that.”

Delany enjoyed driving in front of a bumper summer crowd at Tauherenikau’s dual code meeting, and he believes there needs to be more meetings of its ilk.

“The atmosphere is so good, you don’t get it anywhere else. They should have more meetings like this,” he said.

Delany is now looking forward to heading to Otaki on Wednesday, where he has five drives on the six-race card, which kicks off at 10:37am.

For complete race results, click here.

by Joshua Smith, for Harness News Desk