First training win a milestone for Bennellick

Veronica Bennellick’s first season as a trainer reached a memorable harness racing milestone at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night, with Cee Whatabet delivering her first training win.

The four-year-old Betting Line gelding, driven by his co-owner and Bennellick’s partner Michael Hay, led throughout to take out the Hoarding Signs Available at Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace.

Hay was quick to send the gelding to the lead, and dictated proceedings before fighting off challengers in the run home to score by half a head.

For Bennellick, who trains from Manawatu Raceway, there was some confidence heading into the race following the gelding’s recent form, but the result was far from a certainty.

“It was a bit touch and go, he’d gone massive in his last few starts, we thought he might get a chance and he pulled through!”

“For a second there I didn’t think he was going to win, so when they called on the line that he’d got it I was quite shocked!”

The victory was Bennellick’s first from just 11 starts as a trainer, with her current record now sitting at one win and four placings. All five of those top-three finishes have come courtesy of Cee Whatabet.

CEE WHATABET REPLAY

The result gives Bennellick a UDR of .2525 in her first season with a licence, and it was a moment she won’t forget anytime soon.

“It’s a big milestone for me, it will be one to remember! I’m on cloud nine. It’s extra special that Michael was driving.”

Cee Whatabet also appears to have come through his Cambridge assignment in good order.

“He’s pulled up bright as, he was straight into his tucker. He is really happy with himself!”

Bennellick’s path into training wasn’t always part of the plan.

“I never thought I’d end up training, I first started in harness racing with Scott Dickson & Lydia Pickford at the end of 2017. I’ve always had Standardbreds for our horse trekking business but I’d never geared one up or driven!”

She spent several years working with Dickson & Pickford before Hay moved into the area, where the pair eventually met.

“I was there for a few years, and then Michael moved into the area which is how I met him, and when he started training from the track we got a few horses and went from there!”

Bennellick currently has six horses in work, with three ready to race and the remaining three working towards qualifying.

With a first training win now on the board and six horses in work at Manawatu Raceway, Bennellick has plenty to look forward to as their team continues to build.

For complete race results, click here

From Harness Racing New Zealand