Harness racing owner John Penny is glad he listened to advice from his grandmother because it led to success in South Australia’s first feature two-year-old race of the season, the 2016 Trotsguide.Com.Au Kindergarten Stakes (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.
Penny, and his son Sean (named after Sean Connery, 007) are part-owners of Emain Macha, a brilliant winner of the Kindergarten Stakes.
Solid in the market at $4, Emain Macha led throughout to beat the heavily backed $1.50 favourite Stars Of Courage by three metres with Glenrae Hanover ($128.40), 22-1/2 metres away third.
The gelding son of Safari from the Mach Three mare Machabella is trained by Greg Scholefield at Naracoorte.
The Penny father and son share ownership of Emain Macha with Gail Davis, Peter Lamond and the trainer.
“My grandmother Dulcie Scholefield, ran the tea room at the Naracoorte railway station about 50 years ago and the bread was delivered by the baker, her brother and Greg’s father,” Penny explained.
“I was only about 17 at the time and I remember her saying that one day to make sure I gave a horse to Greg because he would be a top trainer.
“It didn’t happen until about three years ago when, through the loss of my wife, I found I had some time and set about making contact with Greg and found myself with a share in Emain Macha.
“Just over a year ago, Sean had the misfortune to have his wife pass away, so I got him involved in the horse as well to try and take his mind off the loss.
“Tonight has been a great thrill.”
Greg Scholefield revealed he purchased Emain Macha privately from Shepparton breeder Hugh Redwood.
“I have had good success with horses I have obtained from the Redwoods and this horse is related to two of them,” Scholefield said.
“He showed promise from the first time I had him in work.
“I took him to Mount Gambier for his debut in a Kindergarten Prelude and he led throughout to win well and while the time looked okay, it was run on a very soft track so was better than it appeared.”
In the Kindergarten final, driver Jock Dunlop took Emain Macha to the front from gate three while Stars Of Courage, which had won its only two starts, came across from gate seven to challenge for the lead but Dunlop was not letting it lead.
Dani Hill, on Stars Of Courage, kept the pressure on but Emain Macha responded.
Past the 600, Hill really put the pressure on with a 28.4 third quarter but the leader kept finding and holding out the challenge.
Rounding the home turn, Emain Macha drifted off the inside and Hill took Stars Of Courage back to the inside for a last surge but it was to no avail as the leader prevailed.
Scholefield said he would give Emain Macha only another two or three runs before a break.
by Graham Fischer