Old firm combine at Mt Harding Racecourse

Canterbury harness racing’s old firm of Lawrence Hanrahan and Ricky May were at it again on Sunday afternoon (11 Dec.) when they combined to take out the ninth on the card at Mt Harding Racecourse with Woodbine Rocks (A Rocknroll Dance).

The three-year-old son of A Rocknroll Dance had not been out of the money in his first four race day appearances and was duly sent out the punters elect as a short-priced odds-on favourite.

Despite being caught flat-footed from barrier one, May had Woodbine Rocks away safely and settled midfield, where he resumed a position in the running line for the majority of the 2400m journey.

Not many reinsmen know their way round the lush Methven surface like the homegrown legend, Ricky May, who is arguably without peer when it comes to handling a horse with patience like only, he can.

Turning for home, Woodbine Rocks had a dozen lengths to make up on the opposition but did so with aplomb, strolling down the outside of the track to pick up his second win from five starts in what was an inch perfect steer from May.

WOODBINE ROCKS REPLAY

“He’s a pretty nice horse, and he went very well,” said his trainer, Lawrence Hanrahan after the race.

“He’s probably one of the most improved horses I’ve ever had. He was just a fairly ordinary type of horse there at one stage, but he has really developed into a really nice horse.

“Geoff (Kelk) is one of the owners and he trained on his own accord, which is why he races in the colours he wears. The ownership group are just a good group of friends that raced one or two horses before this.

“We went to the sale one day and paid up for this fella, but Geoff sold his property and told me you better train him. He’s got another one at home with me, which goes nicely as well,” he said.

Woodbine Rocks was bred by Tim White and Julie Baynes from Winton and is the third foal from Grinfromeartoear mare, Relation, who traces back to champion racemare, Lento.

For Kelk, the win was an emotional one having handed his training license in only a couple of years earlier having held a license dating back to 1984 on official records.

In the 36 years Kelk had horses in his care, he trained 40 winners with his best season coming in 2000 where he picked up seven winners, six of which came from the smart Holmes Hanover mare, U Cee Alay.

“Lawrence has been a good mate for a long time and I used his track when I was training on my own, and since I’ve retired it’s been great having some fun with some friends,” said Kelk.

“I drive the horse in work every week, and hopefully its some help to Lawrence so he can work him with another horse. It’s been a bit of a bonus how well he is going, and he will get better as he gets a bit older; I think.

“Lawrence said to me it would be good if you keep your colours, keep your driver, and it’s a nice feeling to come back. I was on the committee here for ten years, so I know my way around a wee bit, but the excitement of winning, I just about got lost today,” he said.

When asked whether he gave the champion reinsman any advice, the response was typically dour and one you would expect from an owner who has plenty of race day experience handling horses like this one.

“The only thing I asked Ricky was whether he wanted the wet weather gear, or the dry weather gear. It’s no use telling a guy like Ricky how to drive,” he laughed.

When Kelk was asked whether he would be heading back to the sales in pursuit of another nice pacer given he seems to have struck gold with Woodbine Rocks, he was quick to point out there was another promising juvenile waiting in the wings.

“I’ve got another two-year-old that goes really nice, and he will keep me ticking over for a while,” he said.

For complete Methven results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink