Clonakilty makes it three from three

Clonakilty (Downbytheseaside) proved at the Wyndham harness racing meeting today that he’s a horse going places.

As a two win pacer, today he faced horses that have won seven and nine races, but he didn’t know that.

In the Herbert Transport Handicap Pace junior driver Kerryn Tomlinson stepped the four year old away well.

“I gave him a practice stand and he stepped away really nicely at the start,” Tomlinson said.

Clonakilty settling second early before taking up the role of pacemaker with 1700 metres to run.

“He settled nicely (in front) probably a bit too much. He shied at the winning post and lost concentration.”

Turning in, Clonakilty was being challenged by Jimmyray and then Smoke On The Water chimed in.

“I activated everything and man, once I pulled the gear, he put his ears back and tried really hard.”

CLONAKILTY REPLAY

Clonakilty held on to beat Smoke On The Water by half a neck with Shepherds Delight three quarters of a length back in third.

“He gives me that feeling that he’s got a lot more winning to do yet.”

Clonakilty was developed by Danny McKendry who won three workouts with him before he went to the White stable. He’s come a long way in a short time, qualifying at Ashburton on the 19^th of March before winning twice at Rangiora in May.

“Really pleased. It’s a race we came down for because Southland is a lot better at putting on penalty free races than Canterbury. With a horse like him who was rated 57 you had to chase one,” Tim White said who trains the gelding with his son Tim.

White said he was slightly nervous today.

“It’s a massive step up in grade because he’s only won essentially two maiden races. Today he raced against Smoke On The Water who was in the Maurice Holmes Vase a week ago. I thought he was a sitting duck in the last 100 metres, but he kicked.”

Job done, Clonakilty will now return home.

“We’ll give him a week off and worry about him from there.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink

For complete race results, click here