Winner Mister H set to get even better

Glenisthebettor (yellow) smiles for the camera before going on to win in a busy finish to race 9...
Glenisthebettor (yellow) smiles for the camera before going on to win in a busy finish to race 9 at Forbury Park last night. PHOTO: JONNY TURNER
The Split Enz lyric that history never repeats rang true at Forbury Park last night.

Just six days after jockey Aaron Kuru caught worldwide attention when he and steeplechaser Des De Jeu fell and parted company before getting up again and winning, the feat could have been completed again.

Rory McIlwrick was tipped from the sulky of The Little One in race 3 at the Dunedin track and the pair crashed to the ground.

But so quick was McIlwrick's reaction after the incident he got to his feet and jumped back in his horse's sulky as she got to her feet.

Unlike Kuru and Des De Jeu, The Little One and McIlwrick were unable to catch the field and go on to worldwide stardom after the incident.

Thankfully, neither McIlwrick nor The Little One were harmed in the incident.

After failing to complete the race, the horse was found to have a minor scrape on its leg and will be able to resume racing next week.

Winning honours in the race were left to Mister H and his trainer, Martin Denton, and driver, Robbie Close.

Denton also produced the third placegetter, Clifton Flutter.

His win returned former Dunedin trainer-driver Lex Hawker to the winner's circle.

Hawker formerly worked for Tomahawk trainer Ali Malcolmson and trained a team of his own. He shares in the ownership of Mister H with his wife, Phillipa.

The pacer is from the family of Australasian mile record holder Field Marshal, developed by Syd and Shona Brown.

Whether Mister H can reach the illustrious heights of his relation is unknown, but he is likely to keep getting better.

"We have liked him since we broke him in and he has got better all the time," Denton said.

"He was on and off the bit and still has plenty to learn."

Canterbury reinsman John Morrison continued his strong form in the Forbury Park Junior Drivers Series when he won race 6 with Neverneverland.

The talented but sometimes wayward trotter was on his best behaviour when holding out a gallant Sugar Cane in a tight finish.

The first of last night's heats was taken out by Ohoka Johnny and driver Bronson Munro.

The Tom Bagrie-trained pacer produced a first-over crush when he sat outside the leader, Miss Fandango, and wore her down in the straight.

Bettors Delight pacers Bettor B Ready and Glenisthebettor furthered their strong course records with wins.

Glenisthebettor came with a good finish to win race 9 after receiving a good run in the runner line from driver Kimberly Butt.

Bettor B Ready won his second race in his sixth start on the track when he came with a swooping finish to win race 7 for driver Tim Williams.

Williams also took out last night's claiming event with the Terry and Glenys Chmiel-trained Real Dash.

 

Add a Comment