Nathan Delany’s gets first win as a trainer

It was an emotional harness racing victory for young horseman Nathan Delany at Cambridge on Thursday night and not just because it was his first training success.

ILLUSTRIOUS ARDEN REPLAY

Delany has just started training and reined one of his five horses Illustrious Arden to win at her second start in race 2 on Thursday.

“It was very emotional, firstly because of the win,” says the 23-year-old.

“But it is a tough time for our family at the moment, it is the anniversary of my brother passing this week. He died when he was only 19 so it is always a tough time.

“So to have my first training win this week is very special.”

Harness racing is very much a family affair for Delany these days even though he doesn’t come from a trotting family originally.

“My Mum actually got me into it because she got a job helping Paulette Screen.

“I wasn’t going to school much, I hated school, so she told me to come down the track and help.

“And I have loved it ever since.”

Delany spent two and a half years with Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan but is now back working at Lincoln Farms and works his own horses from the Franklin training centre after.

“My Mum is now back helping we so it is a bit of a family organisation now.”

Delany was given Illustrious Arden to train when she didn’t shine at Lincoln Farms and while she has plenty to learn he is adamant she is not finished winning yet.

He now races her with another young trainer in Mathew Salaivao.

“Mathew also helps out and does heaps of the work with this filly too.”

Delany says while he is busy he is loving his growing career and says he even has a few more horses on the books to come in when a couple of the five he is working now need a spell.

Thursday’s meeting was a profitable one for smaller stables with Tim Hall taking out the first with Sonsofthemerch while Jason Teaz continued his outstanding run over recent weeks when Wishing Star made it back to back wins in a strong trot in race 4.

Arna Donnelly trained two winners with Mannion and the smart juvenile Le Major, who overcame a second line draw to beat the older maidens.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand