Delany hopeful with gifted filly

Nathan Delany will realise a dream at Alexandra Park on Friday (Jul. 29) when Golden Fire (Gold Ace) makes her harness racing debut in The Omah Group Mobile Pace (1700m).

The filly was gifted to the young horseman by breeder Pinelea Farm and he is looking forward to her first outing.

“Pinelea Farm asked me if I wanted a horse, and I was keen to start on something young,” Delany said.

“They gave her to me as a broken-in yearling, so I was very pleased, and I am very thankful for what they have done for me.

“It is a great opportunity for a young trainer like myself.”

While looking forward to her debut, Delany has reserved expectations for her first-up run.

“It will be her first run so it will be hard for her. She is going there for the run, but I am looking forward to it,” he said.

Golden Fire qualified at Pukekohe earlier this month and Delany was pleased with her efforts.

“I was happy with her in her trial,” he said. “I could have gone to the lead if I wanted to but I just wanted to get her around safely and give her some experience.”

Friday will be Delany’s second start as a trainer after making his debut with Trooper Cooper in April. He has long held ambitions of being a trainer and he said training a small team is a stepping stone to bigger things.

“It is something that I have been working towards. I would like to be a full-time trainer one day,” he said.

“I work full-time at Dave and Clare McGowans and then just do my ones when I can.

“I have got three horses in work and about six horses all up.”

Daughters of Gold Ace make up the majority of his barn, with Gwyneth P adding to that number after she was purchased by Delany off standardbred.gavelhouse.com for $500 earlier this month.

“I have recently bought a cheapy called Gwyneth P, I really like her. She is racing next week in an amateur race,” Delany said.

While he is enjoying his time training, driving remains a big passion for Delany, who will take the reins behind the Eddie Clarke-trained My Little Big Man (Sir Lincoln) and last start winner Abhishek (Sportswriter) on Friday.

“Abhishek  will be having his last start in New Zealand. He will be flying out on Monday,” Delany said.

“My Little Big Man surprised us two weeks ago and we are pretty happy with him.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Joshua Smith, for Harness News Desk