Win that was years in the making

No one could doubt Ian Mulcahy’s patience and persistence, with the 76-year-old Albany based trainer enduring plenty of frustration with his harness racing horse Chalky White (Rock N Roll Heaven), who has completed 19 trials in comparison to his very modest 5 race starts since December 2021.

Having just his second start since February 2022, Chalky White was on his best behaviour on Friday night at Albany, with the eight-year-old leading all the way in the last event to claim his maiden win for the very patient Mulcahy.

Driven by Cody Wallrodt, it was a little hairy in the preliminary warm up and the lead up to the mobile, but once they reached release point, Chalky White was in professional mode, doing the right thing when it mattered most.

“It’s been a long road for Ian to get him to be able to win that race, but he’s still not doing everything right,

“If he can get him to (do everything right) he will win more races for him.” Wallrodt said.

Mulcahy, who explained that Chalky White is the hardest horse he has ever had to get going, and he has been at it for a long time, has always maintained that he believed the horse was worth the time and effort and is confident that he has the ability to go on with it.

“He kept breaking up on us, he was hard work, but we’ve got there now, eventually, and it’s worth it,

“If you didn’t think he had a bit of ability, you wouldn’t be doing it.”

Chalky White trialled 11 times last season, including eight times for trainer Charlie Draper down in Albany due to Mulcahy being quite sick, but it was the addition of a one-legged spreader that has made the biggest difference with the troublesome gelding.

“He may be eight years old but he’s only just getting there, he’s probably what you would call a slow learner.”

Chalky White isn’t the type of horse you can go into races with complete confidence, and it has been a long slog for Mulcahy

“He even had us very nervous the other night, because in the prelimenrary he was messing around and cantering and carrying on, and scoring up to the mobile he was messing around,

“the more times he goes around, the better he will handle it”.

CHALKY WHITE REPLAY

Other winners on the night included Diamond Dance NZ in the first for trainer Adrian Shanks, giving driver Trent Wheeler the first of his winning double on the night. The five-year-old brought up her second career win in 50 starts, the first for Shanks since taking her on just seven starts ago.

Race two went the way of Gypsy Dragon for Hayden Reeves and Trent Wheeler, with Reeves preparing a training double on the night. The six-year-old mare started at very short odds, going on to lead all the way with a 3.3m margin on the line.

Reeves took out the seventh on the card with locally owned mare, Immachulate.

Bazaar Package got the win in race three for local trainer Bob Poolman with Aldo Cortopassi in the cart. Starting at $1.34 odds, the three-year-old was able to lead all the way from barrier three.

Michael Young continues to dominate Albany, with a training double on the night. Chillin took out race four on the card, with the stable successful in race six with Ideal Tomado NZ. Both horses were driven by Stuart Mcdonald who walked away with driving honours after three wins on the night.

Bianca Ashcroft and Liam Elliot joined forces in the fifth, with Pocketful Of Opals taking top spot at $3.50 odds. The four-year-old westbred mare brought up her ninth career win in 47 starts, taking her total stakes (not including bonuses) to just over $65,000.

Racing at Albany returns this Friday night, February 2, for the clubs sixth meeting of 10 on offer this season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Ashleigh Paikos, for RWWA