‘Giveaway’ 11yo grabs glory at 125/1

An 11-year-old “freebie” pacer has given Victorian harness racing horseman Mark Riseley his longest priced winner.

Night Safari (Safari) had been out of the winner’s circle since November 2019 and, starting the rank outsider at 125/1, led from start to finish last Friday (Sept 6) at Mildura to take out the Park Douglas Printing Pace.

“I’ve only had him for six starts now after getting him for nothing – so he’s paid for himself in advance for a bit now!” the Sunraysia-based Riseley laughed.

“I race him along with my dad Steve. I thought his previous run when he was fourth was very good and a few starts before that he’d finish third, so he’d been going okay,” he said.

Riseley said the gelding was an “absolute gentleman” around his Koorlong stables, 15 km from Mildura.

“He’s so good to do anything with. I’d say he’s normally placid, but he can be a little spooky on occasions. Nothing much to worry about at all, though,” he said.

“I thought Unethical off the pole would hold me out at last week’s races, but when it galloped, I was happy to go to the lead. I just ran the race to suit, and my plan was to stack them up.

“We got away early with some easy quarters, but down the back with 400 metres to go I wasn’t sure if he was travelling any good. Then when I pulled the earplugs, away he went.”

Night Safari won by five metres from Auckland Lass (Corey Johnson) with Cotton Candy Man (Lochie Cook) a close-up third.

Riseley said his previous longest winner would have been The Tooth Fairy which scored at 80/1 and then again at 40/1 earlier this year.

“I’m working about a dozen of my own and also do part-time truck driving, delivering oaten hay and vetch over the border,” he said.

“I’ve been around horses for as long as I can remember. While I was growing up I suppose I was always going to get into the training side, but it’s only been the last few years I decided to start driving.

“It’s something I enjoy – and I’ve got a big fan at the moment in my 90 year old grandfather Laurie who put $5 each way on Night Safari for a nice collect!”

For complete race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink