Delany hoping to celebrate 25th birthday in style

Nathan Delany has already had the best gift he could hope for in 2025 but he still wouldn’t mind that turning into a few bonus birthday harness racing wins at Alexandra Park tonight.

Delany turns 25 today (Friday) and will be at Alexandra Park where he and new training partner Ray Green have 13 of the 59 starters, including five of the six runners in the first two-year-old race of the season, the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale 2YO Mobile Pace (6.16pm).

“It is very cool being asked to be in a partnership with Ray, especially at my age,” says Delany.

“It is a chance to learn a lot and with some lovely horses so I am really enjoying it.”

Their domination of tonight’s juvenile race even surpasses, numerically at least, Ross Houghton’s trifecta in the first southern juvenile race at Addington last Friday and Delany says there are two clear standouts.

“Lincoln Linda (R2, No.6) has been a natural right from the word go and has won all three of her trials by leading and being too good,” he says.

But Angelic Copy (1) has been the big imrpover. She has run second to the other filly in every trial and gets closer every week.

“So I think even from the wide draw she will roll forward and be the one to beat but Angelic Copy could push her close late.”

The stable start their night with more than 20 per cent of the total runners with Lincoln La Moose and Commander Lincoln in Race 1, the Next Gen : Own The Thrill Amateur Drivers Mobile Pace and Delany favours Lincoln La Moose, who opened at $3.80 with the bookies.

“He hasn’t had much luck but I think he will get the right run from the ace,” he told HRNZ.

Delany surprises when he opts for the worst drawn of the stable’s trio Commander Lincoln as their best hope in Race 4.

“He is in really good form and he is very versatile so if he has any luck he can overcome the draw.”

The stable has no runners in Race 5, the Woodlands Stud 2025 Yearling Draft Mobile Pace (7.43pm). It promises to be the highlight of the night as smart three-year-old Rubira makes his northern debut in his first outing since finishing second to Marketplace in the Sires Stakes Final on Cup Day.

He has trialled twice in the last fortnight but faces a tricky little field fresh up.

Delany and Green wrap up their night with three reps in a strong Race 7, the Alabar Yearlings Selling Karaka 15 Feb Mobile Pace (8.38pm).

“All of ours have chances but Debbie Lincoln is a filly who is really improving who we think could end up in an Oaks,” says Delany.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand