Forget the wide draw

Murray Swain has an eye for a bargain and when he spotted an American bred mare with a Tintin In America filly foal at foot being offered by Spreydon Lodge in the 2014 harness racing Christchurch Autumn Weanling and All Age Sale he liked what he saw. 

Seven hundred dollars later he had purchased High Tops Hanover and her filly foal. It was that filly, named Share The Road that won at Winton today.

High Tops Hanover is by Western Hanover out of Haps Hanover a Big Towner mare. Haps Hanover is out of Hazel Hanover the dam of Holmes Hanover, four times champion New Zealand sire.

“All Holmes Hanover’s cross well with Direct Scooters so that’s why I liked Tintin In America. It just adds speed to the breed,” said Swain who shares in the ownership of the three year old with his wife Wendy. Share The Road is trained by their son Aaron.

Tintin In America is out of Zenterfold which is by In The Pocket, a Direct Scooter stallion. 

"Craig (Craig Thornley who works at Spreydon Lodge) said she (High Tops Hanover) was a nice mare but she couldn’t run.”

And Murray Swain remembers going to see his prospective purchase on the day of the sale.

"She (the foal) was quite a flighty filly in the box with the mare and Denice (sister Denice Swain) always said some of the flighty quick moving ones turn out to be okay. I didn’t mind her for $700."

Wendy and Murray Swain with trainer Aaron and Share The Road  – Photo Bruce Stewart.

In the score up from barrier one Share The Road broke for driver Dexter Dunn and a false start was declared by starter Ben Ward. Dunn quickly decided in the interests of safety that his charge would be better starting from the outside of the front row.

“The one draw at the end of the day wasn’t the best draw for her. I’ve been looking after her at home and at the workouts because she can lose the plot a wee bit as she did today. Today was the first time someone else had driven her. If she doesn’t do what you want to do you just have to give her some rein. You can’t pull her in. I thought 'we’re not going to win from the unruly.' But she did stick on.”

From the new outside starting position Dunn didn't rush Share The Road, letting her settle two lengths last after the early rush for positions.  With a 1000 metres to run he sent the filly forward and with a lightning move he had her sitting outside the leader and favourite Tara Tutaia inside the 800. At the top of the lane these two started a dog fight that lasted the length of the straight and in the end Share The Road beat Tara Tutaia by three quarters of a length. Repartee was a nose back in third.

Share The Road (1) and Dexter Dunn beating Tara Tuaia on her inside – Photo Bruce Stewart.

“The plan is to put her in the paddock until next year and target the mares races like the Southern Belle."

Swain said he just puts today's misdemeanours down to inexperience.

"She’s not like that at home. We have to lead her out of the box. She just got a bit fired up and she didn't have plugs in. It’s just a learning thing.”

High Tops Hanover's next foal is a yearling by Net Ten EOM.

“He’d be the pick of my yearlings. I’ve got Art Majors and some Mach Threes and I still think this guy is the pick. He’s very solid and the sort of horse that could run at two. I’m going to call him Stiven as John (John Stiven) convinced me to go to Net Ten EOM.”

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing