For the first time in his harness racing career Kumeu trainer Roydon Downey trained a double on one night.
The achievement happened at Alexandra Park last night when Santapazienza (Wishing Stone) and his half-sister Sans Au Revoir (Love You) won. And to make it even more special, Roydon bred both of them.
Three year old colt Santapazienza was the first of the training double.
āHeās been building nicely to that win, running some consistent races, so he was due. Every run heās getting better and better and I donāt know where the bottom is yet,ā Roydon said.
SANTAZINEZA REPLAY
Five races later the night turned memorable when six year old mare Sans Au Revoir won her fifth race by a nose, over 2700 metres.
āSheās better over 2700 metres. Sheās been racing alright but the start before I think she may have been in season. I changed the shoes around on her, put some flip flops on her and it made her trot soundly. I didnāt do any work with her and got the split at the end. I didnāt think sheād won.ā
SANS AU REVOIR REPLAY
Thirty seven year old Downey has been training since 2015 and last nightās wins took his career tally to nine.
āIāve only ever had a few around me. I do heaps of breakers and have the odd horse. When my father passed away I inherited his breed. Iām pretty much fulltime shoeing and I do the work for Woodlands Stud and Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan.ā
Both winners are out of eight win Pine Chip mare Sanchipola who in turn is out of Sanschiola (Chiola Hanover) which won fifteen races. Her biggest win was in the Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile and she was also placed in the Lyell Creek Stakes and twice in the Cambridge Trotters Mile.
Downeyās only other runner last night was Saninarmbro which finished second in Race One. Sheās out of Saninvasion (Armbro Invasion) – another daughter of Sanschiola.
For complete race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink