Michael Hay back to driving after 10 year break

For the first time in a decade, Michael Hay returns to driving today as Manawatu hosts the first of four harness racing meetings in November.

Now based in Feilding, Hay works as a qualified builder but over the last few years has become involved in harness racing once again, shoeing for several Manawatu trainers and helping with trackwork on occasion.

“A few of the trainers I shoe for and help out have been encouraging me to get back out there and I finally caved in and decided I would,” says Hay, “I’ve really been enjoying it and I’m looking forward to driving although I’ll probably be a bit rusty out there.”

The son of Ashburton-based trainer John Hay, Hay started out as a junior driver in late 1999 and enjoyed some good success in the sulky both as a junior and later as a senior reinsman. Amongst his notable successes was a partnership with the John Stackhouse-trained trotter Marie Wishes, who he drove to 10 wins and multiple placings including two at Group level. He also drove Houdini Star, trained by John Hay, to take out the Group 2 Hambletonian Classic Mobile Trot in 2006.

“It’s been a wee while but I remember Marie Wishes was the leading four-year-old mare of her year, so her and Houdini Star are ones that are memorable from when I was driving and working in racing full time.”

At today’s meeting, which is just over ten years since his last driving win, Hay is engaged to drive in five of the six races programmed. His first drive of the day is the Rodney Dickson-trained Quercus Rubra in Race 1, the Matt Hickey Club Patron Handicap Trot. The Superfast Stuart mare was a last start winner with a tough victory at Cambridge on October 15. She starts today’s assignment off 2500 metre race off a 30 metre handicap on the unruly.

“The first couple I’m driving in races one and two have reasonable form but haven’t got good starting draws which will make things a bit tougher for them on this track,” says Hay.

In Race 2, the Book For Xmas Function 12 December Mobile Pace, Hay partners with Dream On Lou trained by Manawatu local John Gommans. The lightly-raced three-year-old has had just two starts to date, most recently placing second at Cambridge on October 8 ahead of the third placed Beta Prepare who has since gone on to win. Dream On Lou starts from the outside of the front line in barrier seven.

Also trained by Gommans, Hay drives Lord Delmar in Race 5, the Congratulations Don Haydock Life Member Mobile Pace over 2000 metres. The gelding has had two unplaced runs at Cambridge this preparation but has the ace draw in today’s assignment at his home track.

“I think Lord Delmar is probably one of my better chances of the night given his starting draw,” says Hay, “he can get a bit keen at times but hopefully he can settle tonight.”

Hay also combines with two runners for Hastings trainer, Tracy Cadwallader, both fresh up and having their first race starts since late last year.

The first of those is Haring Habagat in Race 3, the Doug Gale Stables Mobile Pace over 2000 metres, and Whitebait Marg who starts in Race 6, the Racing Again 11th November Mobile Pace. Tonight is Whitebait Marg’s first start for Cadwallader, but the mare has had success on this track having won and placed on several occasions at Manawatu.

Race one gets underway today at 12.55pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand