50th success for Zev Meredith

Could Zev Meredith have picked a better race for his 50th harness racing success?

Yesterday at Manawatu he not only brought up a driving milestone but had his first win as an owner as well, when Apple Of My Eye (A Rocknroll Dance) led all the way in the Partners Night Thursday Mobile Pace.

“It was awesome, I’m absolutely stoked the mare won and to have it as my 50th winner was even better,” says Meredith.

The mare brought up her first win from just three starts.

Apple Of My Eye started from barrier six, and Meredith sent the mare forward to find the lead without challenge. The mare remained the leader throughout in a well rated drive and in the home straight was too good, pulling away from the second placed Mapua Missie to score the win by one and a quarter lengths.

“She hasn’t been the easiest horse but I’m really proud of her and these moments are what racing is all about,” says Meredith.

“I’m really grateful to the team at Arna Donnelly’s for their help getting her here and to Paulette Screen who bred her and has always been supportive of me from a young age.”

“Hopefully it’s the first win of many as an owner but I’ve also just applied for my trainer’s licence so training a winner will be my next goal,” says Meredith.

APPLE OF MY EYE REPLAY

Sailesh Abernethy and Wilson House also scored driving doubles at the meeting with Abernethy’s first winner being the Fred Mitchell trained Manchester In Time.

The gelding stepped smoothly from his 10 metre handicap to follow the field four back on the fence throughout the first lap. With around 1400 metres to travel, Abernethy sent the gelding forward finding the lead going into the final lap over Sans Au Revoir who didn’t hand up easily. With 800 metres left to travel, Slainte came off the fence and applied the pressure to Manchester In Time who kept on for a gritty win by three quarters of a length.

Abernethy’s second winner was Benjamin Button who he also trains from his Takanini stables.

The gelding had an economical trip with Abernethy finding the one out one back position in the first half of the race, before being one out three back going into the final lap. Benjamin Button was full of running when Abernethy made his run and despite being four wide on the home turn, was able to run down the second placed Bailey’s Pitch.

The formidable father and son combination of Michael and Wilson House achieved their winning double with Avenger taking out Race seven, and Superstar Legend winning Race eight, the Thank You Gary Woodham Mobile Pace.

“Superstar Legend is a tough old mare whose done a super job,” says Wilson House.

It was the nine year old mare’s sixteenth lifetime win and her eighth victory at Manawatu.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand