Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted 6 hours ago Journalists Share Posted 6 hours ago By Brigette Solomon A victory in the last race at Manawatu yesterday brought up significant milestones for both horse and driver. It was Wilson House’s 100th driving win, and Santanna Mach’s 20th. The victory was the 20-year-old House’s fourth of the day, also rounding out a training treble for his father, Canterbury-based trainer Michael House. “It was a good day and nice to get that win on Santanna Mach,” says House, “he’s a pretty cool old horse, I’ve had four wins on him now so he’s been pretty good to me.” The 10-year-old gelding started a $2.10 race favourite in the Christmas Function Book Now December 10 and 12 Mobile Pace. House drove conservatively off the mobile to sit four back the fence in the early stages. A tussle for the lead between The Elite Athlete and stable mate Morere resulted in a strong tempo with Morere eventually leading, and with just over a lap to run House elected to move forward to lead with little challenge. Over the final lap, Stealers Wheel would move to sit outside the leader applying pressure from the 400 metre mark to lead by a narrow margin until midway down the home straight. But Santanna Mach refused to lie down, picking himself up to battle on and out tough Stealers Wheel to win by a head. Today’s win brought the Santanna Blue Chip gelding’s lifetime earnings to just shy of $230,000 from his 20 wins and further 48 placings. “At ten, he is still racing well and is competitive as we saw today and Dad recently realised that Santanna Mach has raced at nearly every race course in New Zealand with the exception of Blenheim, Westport and Omakau, said House “w are going to try to get him to those tracks to race in the coming months which would make him possibly the only horse in New Zealand to have raced on every course.” House is having his best season yet driving 51 winners to date and is currently sitting second in the NZ Junior Driver’s Premiership, just four wins behind leader Sam Thornley. Carter Dalgety sits in third position with 49 wins. “There’s still a few weeks to go but hopefully it’s a good dog fight for the premiership right down to the line,” said House who next drives at Motukarara on Sunday. House’s other winners at Manawatu yesterday were Bigger The Bettor (R2), Gotta Elect Bill (R4) and Doctor Tim (R5). View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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