Yae for Forty Wives

He won by just a nose. And it’s been a long time coming. But when long time harness racing maiden Forty Wives (Bettor’s Delight) finally cracked it to win his first race at the Wyndham’s meeting at Cromwell today (Jan. 6) it was an emotional moment.

Trained by veteran Omakau trainer Lionel Sinnamon and given a cosy run by Kerryn Tomlinson, the eight year old came up the passing lane to beat Smart I Am by the barest of margins.

Lionel’s son Graham who watched the race from the hill on the north side of the birdcage was loud and proud. When Forty Wives looked to break the drought and the result was confirmed, he let out a loud roar of approval before tears started to roll.

“He puts his heart and soul into everything he does and because it’s taken so long it made it a bit more emotional,” Lionel said.

Graham is the long serving President of the successful Central Otago Trotting Club and it’s well known that he’s passionate about harness racing.

Leading into today’s $10,000 maiden, Forty Wives’ form was good but the camp weren’t that confident.

“After 63 starts you started to wonder if it would ever happen. His form hadn’t been that bad but there’s always been someone a bit better.”

FORTY WIVES REPLAY

The gelding is raced by Lionel, his wife Penny and their four children Graham, Karen, Jan and Grant.

“Enough of the family were here today to make it a bit more special. I’ve had horses for a very long time and the kids have had to come to the races whether they liked it or not so it’s good that they still like to be amongst it.”

Forty Wives was bred by Hamish Scott and Kim Lawson, and they were one of the first to congratulate Sinnamon. They had two runners in the race both trained by Robbie Holmes. Kiwi Record finished 13th and Very Kiwi 14th.

“Robbie has given me a horse or two over the years like Gabby’s Star and this one. He had gone a bit out of form and Robbie thought he may suit a stable change. When I first saw him, he was such a monster, so he needed time and he’s certainly had that.”

Sinnamon has been training since 1959 and Forty Wives was his sixtieth winner.

“I won my first race in 1959 and I was hooked. It took a long time to get my next.”

His first winner was Lyric Lady at the Vincent Jockey club meeting in January when driven by George Ward. His next winner was Idaten at Invercargill in 1976.

“The A and B grade system buggered me. You qualified and got a couple of starts then you were in the B grade. Then you had to got to the trials and win to get back to the races. If you got a couple of bad draws, then you’re back in the B grade again. The last few years have been pretty good for me with Gabby’s Star and Allandale. I’ve got a lot of time for Southern Star. We’ve had a few health issues with her, but I think she’s right at the moment.”  

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink