Hungry Bronnie relishes Canterbury sunshine with maiden demolition

A family dinner paved the way for an emphatic win for Leeston harness racing trainer Aaron Swain at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru yesterday, when Hungry Bronnie claimed her maiden win in fine fashion.

The transfer of the four-year-old Stay Hungry mare to Swain’s barn came about when Swain was at a family dinner with uncle Robin Swain three weeks ago.

“Robin suggested sending them up with a view to those Wednesday Addington meetings. They’re just waterlogged down south at the moment. So, we did a deal with Terry (McPherson) and the rest is history.”

Hungry Bronnie was bred by Terry McPherson of Gore, who still owns the majority of the mare.

It didn’t take long for Hungry Bronnie to relish in the slightly warmer and drier Canterbury climate.

“I’ve had her for two and a half weeks. She arrived to me the day after her last race at Invercargill (September 10).”

“The biggest winner has been the sunshine. She’s just enjoyed having the sun on her back. Plus I can work them down the roads, so on the jog days I’ve been trotting her down there. She loves it.” 

Driver Sam Thornley was able to hold the lead from the outset. Keeping the tempo up for the journey, Hungry Bronnie and Thornley never looked in doubt, winning by seven lengths at the line.

“I thought she’d go good, but I didn’t expect that. I don’t think I’ve won a race by that margin before,” said Swain of the impressive win.

“I told Sam if you end up in front just roll along. She’s a good stayer, and doesn’t have a lot of speed.”

HUNGRY BRONNIE REPLAY

Hungry Bronnie and Swain will look to dine out again at Addington on October 7.

“We will likely head to Addington in 10 days time where there’s an up to R40 junior drivers race. We’ll just keep going and have a bit of fun.”

Combining training with his day job as a nutrition specialist at McMillan Equine Feeds, Swain has now trained 30 winners from small stocks in his career to date.

“I can only work two at a time so it fits in with work. But I’ve always got a few going in the background. Murray Alfeld is my father-in-law, so he usually jogs something up for me – so when one’s ready for the paddock, then next one is ready to go for me.”

Other highlights on the programme included an effortless victory by Tact Teva for Stonewall Stud in the Tyre General Washdyke Timaru Spring Cup, while Greg and Ben Hope trained a double with Queensland Spirit and the progressive type, Landman, who made it two wins from three starts (both driven by co-trainer Ben Hope). Robbie Close also drove a double, Happy Harriet for John Howe, and Rakero Maximus for Warwick Roberts, as did Jonny Cox with Dragon Ball, who he trains, and Share A Dream for Regan Todd.

 

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand