Wheels keep spinning

Wheels Of Fortune (Always B Miki) and trainer driver John Hay led all the way and won easily in the Timaru Challenge Stakes at the Timaru Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Phar Lap Raceway today (Nov. 19).

On a slushy track the three year old cleared out to win by three and three quarter lengths from No Terror (Terror To Love).

“He takes a big long hopple but he’s a good pacer, so the track wasn’t a worry. The races he’s been in he’s drawn well so we’ve had to lead but he’s just as good sitting in behind,” Hay said.

The gelding was favourite at his first start at Addington and was unlucky not to have begun his winning streak there.

“It was a standing start, I got back and was KO ’ed after 100 metres and everything went against him.”

WHEELS OF FORTUNE REPLAY

Bred by Breckon Farms the three year old is out of the Mach Three mare Spin To Win and was bought by Hay at the 2020 Auckland Sales for $35,000. He’s well related. His second dam is Giveitawhirlgirl (Jenna’s Beach Boy) the mother of Twist And Twirl (Artsplace) which won seven. Twist And Twirl is the dam of King Of Swing (Rocknroll Hanover) which has won forty four races including three Miracle Miles. 

Wheels Of Fortune is owned by Jo Lovett, Nicky Copland and their father and long-time Hay client, Peter Cates.

“He’s been a big horse all his life but he’s good natured, pretty laid back. He was a bit better today with the half blinds on. He’s not one of those rip and bust type horses. He just gets on with the job. The last 100 is the best part of his race.”

Hay says Wheels Of Fortune holds a nomination for the Group One $250,000 New Zealand Derby next month but a decision on whether he starts has yet to be made.

“He’s in there at the moment but I’ll have to discuss it with the owners. Maybe he’ll be best left for six months. He’s pretty green but he’s improved since I took him down south. His work’s been better, and I’d say he’ll improve this week too. You only get one Derby and it’s later on this season but it’s hard to race Cup horses when they’re green like him.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink