#lucksafortune for Shaun

Jovial Bendigo harness racing trainer Shaun McNaulty has come out of a rollercoaster ride of emotions on the right side of the ledger.

“I experienced the highs and the lows that’s for sure. It was a very stressful 24 hours-too stressful for my likings,” McNaulty, of Marong, said.

“But at the end of the day, we had luck on our side, and it all turned out pretty good.”

McNaulty prepared seven-year-old gelding Hashtag (Shadyshark Hanover-Elvira Bromac (Badlands Hanover) to take out the $24,000 Hero Battle of the Claimers Final at Melton on Saturday night.

The tough gelding races on a training program based around swimming due to soundness issues, and was one of the top chances in the feature after his impressive qualifying heat win the previous week.

And while McNaulty felt he had the pacer in peak health for the big final, he was unable to make the road trip to Melton due to a COVID scare.

McNaulty had been at a Melbourne Cup function earlier in the week where one of those in attendance later tested positive to the virus.

“I didn’t have any symptoms but at that stage I hadn’t had a COVID test, so it wouldn’t have been right to go to the races,” McNaulty said.

“I’ve since tested negative, but my dad and brother, who live an hour away, picked the horse up on the way and I stayed home in isolation,” he said.

The anxiety amplified about the racing future of McNaulty’s beloved warhorse, when he learned that the Claiming Race had attracted big interest from potential new owners – with the “claimed” horses not being revealed until after the race.

“I was watching the meeting on television and heard there’d been 39 claims lodged for horses. I felt terrible,” he said.

“I definitely believed we were going to lose him. I was very emotional. He’s not in the top bracket of free-for-all horses, but for me he’s a star.”

Ace Ballarat junior driver James Herbertson eased Hashtag out the back in Saturday night’s event. In the final lap, he started a forward move, weaving through the field to be in striking distance for the run home. Hashtag dug deep to defeat stablemates Chapter One and Yorkshire.

“It was such a relief to find out after the race that not only had we won, but that none of the claims put in were for Hashtag! I think I was telling myself to never put the horse in a claimer ever again,” McNaulty said.
And in a strange twist, the good fortune continued with close friends of McNaulty in father and son Murray and Drew Gray successfully claiming the third placegetter in the feature, Yorkshire.

A total of 32 claims were lodged for Yorkshire and seven for the second placegetter, Chapter One.

“I might just end up with a share in Yorkshire too, because I’ll be training it for them now,” McNaulty said.

While Hashtag has been a great racehorse, winning 21 (seven for McNaulty) for over $186,000 in stakes, the constant therapy and care for the horse by his young trainer is playing a major role.

“He goes in the pool twice a day because it takes the pressure off his legs. He’s just a beautiful horse with a big heart. It’s easier to put up with all the extra work involved when they come out and win,” McNaulty said.

“I picked out the series about six weeks ago, so it’s all turned out nicely and he’s actually come through it really good. I don’t know where his next race will be because he’ll have a few light days.”

Herbertson said he was thrilled to win the Battle of the Claimers for McNaulty.

“He’s one of my best mates and we haven’t been having much luck of late. But these two wins make up for it,” he said.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink