Father Ned wins on the holy day

Father Ned (Father Patrick) did the right thing today when he won on “the Lords Day” at the Winton harness racing meeting for local trainer Chelsea Faithful.

FATHER NED REPLAY

After getting back early, driver Craig Ferguson sent the four year old forward with a lap to run to sit outside the leader, Phishing. Both horses came to the top of the straight together but Father Ned came away to win by a length and three quarters.

“His manners have always been great and he’s got a great attitude, so it’s been about keeping him together and slowly working him down. He’s got a lovely way of going, so it’s about looking after him and not knocking him around,” Faithful said.

Prior to his debut Father Ned had two workouts and two trials.

“Everyone tells me they’re (progeny of Father Patrick) a bit fiery but to be fair he’s been perfect the whole time I’ve had him. A couple of workouts this time in have woken him up and he’s got a bit keen. But in company he’s perfect. He’s a big immature weak horse that needed a bit of time. He’s about 17 odd hands and there’s no point in rushing a horse like him. He’s got the maturity of a horse half his age probably.”

The four year old is owned by Bridget Stevens, the estate of Tony Stevens, Rita Stevens and Rebecca and Shaun Excell.

“It’s quite good because another sister Julie arrived from Scotland yesterday so this race was always planned. We’ve been to Queenstown twice. They flew from Melbourne to Queenstown on Friday and had to turn back,” Bridget said.

Father Ned is out of Big OE – a Dream Vacation mare who’s a half to Sheezadossie, the winner of seven and Dipendra which won six for Tony Stevens.

“Dad always wanted another one related to Dipendra. I didn’t go to the Sales but Tim White looked over the horse for us and we bought him,” Bridget said.

The Stevens family paid just $13,000 for the colt at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch and renamed him Father Ned, a name derived from Dipendra who’s stable name was Ned.

“He was Dad’s pride and joy. Everyone that came to visit had to go and look at the horse.”

This season has been a good one for Bridget.

She and her good friend Tracey McMaster owned Precious Memories which won earlier in the year at Riverton but has since been retired. She was also trained by Faithful.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink