Kimberley Blakemore was quick to deflect a lot of the praise for her first winning harness racing drive at Addington on Friday night to her boss, Brendon Hill.
The young horsewoman, who is originally from the North Island, picked up the first win of her career in the sulky with a well-time drive to get the in-form Rummage home in the junior drivers’ contest.
And while she was showered with praise and admiration in the stabling block at Addington following the win, Blakemore was more keen to heap the compliments on Hill as opposed to giving herself some credit.
“I couldn’t ask for someone better to work for,” Blakemore said.
“Benny has been amazing and have put a lot of faith in me so it’s nice to get that first milestone in his colours.
"He's just a a very kind and patient person who I have a lot of respect for. He's a really good horseman and I'm enjoying learning from him."
Having just her 10th race day drive, Blakemore managed to work clear from a precarious position at the 400 metre mark to find clear air and charge home to run down Allison Sokke.
“It’s all a bit surreal at the moment, it certainly hasn’t sunk in yet.
“And it probably won’t until I have watched the replay about 100 times.”
The daughter of well known North Island horseman, Danny Blakemore, there was no questioning what career path Kimberley was going to take.
Her sister, Kelly and brother, Michael have also driven a winner – keeping the family line perfect.
“I don’t think I beat Kelly in terms of the number of wins before my first, but I have beaten Michael so that gives me a bit of a bragging in the future.”
After working for Phil Burrows for three months when she first moved South, Blakemore managed to land herself a role at Hill’s stable and hasn’t looked back.
“Benny has been incredible part of my career. I wouldn’t be here without him that’s for sure.”
It was a perfect night for Hill who won his second race when Missinmemate cleared a pocket late and charged home for Ricky May.
In a typically patient drive from May, punters were nervous 100 metres from the post. But in a deft display of patience and timing, May was perfect in his judgement, getting the gap late and charging through.
May’s victory on Missinmemate was only usurped by the patience shown on Seel The Deal to win earlier in the night.
Again May left it until the last few strides to get up on the Greg and Nina Hope trained pacer who looked destined to run second to Woodlea Legend and Katie Cox.
“He always felt like he was going to there, it probably looked a little worse than it way,” May said.
“He’s come back really well.”
May’s third victory came courtesy of Ranfurly Rulz who showed he’s finally close to living up to all the hype.
Also from the Hope stable the speedy pacer was far too good for his opposition on Friday, dashing clear at the top of the straight to win impressively.
Matt Markham