Career best season continues as Hay breaks Cambridge duck

Michael Hay ticked off a special career milestone at Cambridge Raceway on Friday night, driving his first winner at the venue with the ever-reliable Kink in the Gavelhouse.com Handicap Trot.

The Rodney Dickson-trained gelding was simply too good in the 2700m contest, overcoming a 20-metre handicap before taking control and never giving his rivals a look in.

Stopping the clock with a respectable 2:03 mile rate over the distance trip, Kink produced his first victory since the Central Districts circuit wrapped up in April.

Kink had built a strong record through the Central Districts over summer, climbing to an R65 rating on the back of a string of victories across the Manawatu meetings. Friday night’s assignment represented a step up in class, making the performance all the more meritorious.

For Hay, however, the result carried even greater significance.

“He’s a lovely horse to drive and it’s a privilege to win my first race at Cambridge on him!” he told Trackside’s Nicole Sims after returning to scale.

“He’s just a lovely old campaigner, he does everything right!”

It continues what’s been a remarkable return to the sulky for the experienced reinsman.

KINK REPLAY

Hay stepped away from race-day driving for roughly a decade before making his comeback in late 2024. Less than two seasons later, he’s enjoying the most successful campaign of his career by strike rate.

The 2026 season has produced 13 wins from just 81 drives, giving him a UDR of .3155 – comfortably his best return since beginning his driving career in 2000.

Asked what prompted his return to driving after so long away, Hay admitted it wasn’t part of any grand plan.

“I don’t know really, I just started giving Scott Dickson a hand for a wee while and it led me back to here!”

With Kink continuing to race in career-best form despite stepping up into stronger company, and Hay making the most of every opportunity in the sulky, Friday night’s victory was a fitting reward for both horse and driver.

For Hay, it was another winner in what’s shaping as a career-best season, and one he’ll remember as the first of hopefully many at Cambridge Raceway.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand