Night Life wins for Nyhan and Trathen

Kim Nyhan’s bad luck in breaking her wrist, has brought a bit of good luck to West Melton harness racing trainer Tim Trathen.

Because of the injury Nyhan was unable to work two of her trotters Night Life (The Pres) and Nellie Doyle (Majestic Son) so she passed the reins over to Trathen and yesterday Night Life which Nyhan races on lease from the Grice brothers, won her first race at the Banks Peninsula meeting at Motukarara.

“We qualified her after a few weeks and we ended up buying Nellie Doyle which I race with a few mates. Kim’s had both horses since they were weanlings,” Trathen said.

In yesterday’s maiden trot, driver Sam Ottley took Night Life to the top before handing up to Kiss Me Kate. The order remained the same well into the straight before Night Life got the better of Kiss Me Kate and won by a length and a quarter.

NIGHT LIFE REPLAY

It was the perfect result for Ottley as the race was sponsored by her sponsor, Crate and Barrel.

Nellie Doyle charged home to get within 4.1 lengths of her stable mate.

“She only qualified a few weeks ago and went to Ashburton during Cup Week and had a gallop. Bob (Butt) normally drives her but he got a suspension, so I thought I’d just drive her myself. She went good yesterday and rattled home for fourth.”

Night Life is out of the Sundon mare Cuddly Jess, a daughter of broodmare gem Janetta’s Pride. Bred by Bevan and Keith Grice, Cuddly Jess won five races for Micheal House and Night Life is her first foal.
Trathen says there’s no separating Night Life and Nellie Doyle.

“It’s quite funny. Both horses are quite matey. At the start yesterday they were calling out to each other.”

Trathen said short term, Night Life will remain in his West Melton stable.

“She said at the moment you’re doing a good job so just carry on. So that’s quite nice. Being from that breed she could go on. Being that age she’s big and strong and is a nice type.”

The Nyhan family have had a lot of success with Night Life’s family, with Kim’s younger sister Margo having trained a number of the Grice breed to win, including Sarah Palin which won ten races.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink