Bits and Bridles

Southland based harness racing driver Shane Walkinshaw likes to keep his hand in when time permits. Since taking up full-time employment outside of the sport he’s driven just a handful of times but was seen back in the bike on Saturday driving Jenny Gump for Doug McLachlan.

Walkinshaw’s last winner was Suzie Rocks For Ray Faithful at Ascot Park in March 2021.

He’s driven 309 winners in total with his biggest win coming in the 2006 Group One Dominion Handicap driving Whatsundermykilt.

If Just Believe wins the Rowe Cup on Friday his stakes earnings for this season will pass the half million mark. Not bad for five months work!

He’s won five of his Australian starts this season and all three of his New Zealand appearances. He’s taken home winnings of $131,850 in Australia and $348,500 in New Zealand.

Of his last thirty one starts he’s won twenty three times. In his other starts he’s finished either second or third.

Only three Australian trained trotters have won the Rowe Cup; Wagon Apollo in 1996, La Coocaracha in 2002 and Sundon’s Gift in 2010.

Wanaka based owners Ben and Karen Calder will be hoping for a change of luck in Friday night’s G1 Auckland Cup.

Their first good pacer Grinaldi finished 6^th in the 1996 Cup won by Sharp And Telford and 6^th again the following year, behind Kate’s First.

Old Town Road which they bred and co-own finished a close 5^th last year behind Akuta and the horse’s connections will be hoping he can go all the way this year.

Time has been called on the career of Teddy Baker (Somebeachsomewhere) after he misbehaved again recently.

The gelding was a late scratching at the Winton meeting two weeks ago after refusing to take his place behind the mobile.

Between September and November 2022 he went on a four race winning spree for Ascot Park trainer Tyler Dewe and driver Rory McIIwrick, culminating in the South of the Waitaki at Addington on Show Day.

When he returned to racing after fifteen months off he was trained by Matthew Williamson who won an amateur drivers race with him.  From thirty starts he won five races.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink