Young harness racing couple Shaun McNaulty and Michelle Phillips are hoping bigger things are in store after making a hit-and-run mission to Ouyen to snap up a maiden win with their handy three-year-old.
The pair, based at Bendigo, made the three-hour road trip north on Sunday with the lightly-raced Gobsmacked (Auckland Reactor NZ-Respected (Art Major USA) to land the money impressively in the Les Patching Family Pace.
As well as the first win for Gobsmacked, it was also the first winner to come from his dam.
“It was also a special win because we had never raced at the track before, and our family is great friends of the Patchings, who come from the area,” McNaulty said.
“My father Noel was great mates with the late Ron Patching, of St Arnaud. As soon as I told dad that we were in the Patching Family event, he decided there and then he’d make the trip up with us to Ouyen,” he said.
“Most people in trotting in the area knew (the late) Les Patching, who had Down’s Syndrome and was a great fan of the sport but Les especially loved his trotting at Ouyen.”
Gobsmacked, handled by McNaultys partner in Michelle Phillips, galloped soon after the start and was a conspicuous last, being 40 metres off the leading division. Phillips made a three wide move approaching the bell and was later forced four wide on the home corner, but Gobsmacked had all the answers and proved too good.
To watch the video replay click here.
McNaulty said the pacer was purchased at the Australian Pacing Gold sale in Sydney two years ago.
“Both Michelle and I own shares in him along with my dad Noel, brother Jason, our uncle Geoff Sharp and Michelle’s mum Fay,” he said.
“I’ve got to put my hand up and say it was my idea to buy the horse because when I worked in New Zealand for (star horseman) Mark Purdon, I was amazed by the performances put up by Auckland Reactor.
“Some of his victories were simply out of this world. He was a freak.”
While McNaulty conceded Gobsmacked would never get to the dizzy heights of the pacing machine Auckland Reactor, he said his youngster had shown glimpses of ability.
“I nearly offered him for sale a few times, but he’s getting better with time,” he said.
“His effort at Boort leading up to the Ouyen race was very good. He was forced to sit parked but showed a ton of courage.
“Last season he had a terrible habit of pulling extremely hard in his races and this caused us a few headaches. He hasn’t been quite that bad this time in, although he did give Michelle a torrid time at Ararat last month.”
McNaulty said he’d been around horses most of his life because his dad always raced a few and enjoyed the breaking-in side of the sport.
“I worked at a feedlot after leaving school and later for Landmark in merchandise, as well as running the Wycheproof lamb sales,” he said.
“I wasn’t really into the horses, but when dad raced a horse called Dustndiesel (Safely Kept-Agincourt (Pure Steel) driven by David Evans, I got well and truly hooked.
“He was a trotter and had 10 wins and 11 placings from about 50 starts for over $51,000.
“I then started looking at horses to buy fairly regularly and one day noticed Mark Purdon was advertising for staff. I loved St Arnaud, but a lot of my friends had moved away so things were a bit quiet.”
McNaulty said he arranged to meet Purdon a few days later at a Melton meeting to discuss the job prospects.
“I really didn’t know a lot about harness racing, but I thought if I was wanting to learn I may as well be taught by those at the top,” he said.
“And in the three years I was there, I got taught heaps. It was a great experience and one I’ll never forget. Mark is a great fellow. He’s so approachable he will stop and chat with anyone who pulls him aside.”
McNaulty said during his three-year NZ stint, he usually spent three months annually in Australia, acting as caretaker for the Purdon All Stars Stable, often with four to six horses.
“There was a bit of pressure on occasions, but mostly I managed okay,” he said.
“And as luck has it, while over at Purdons I got to meet my partner Michelle, who was an HRV intern from the the Gippsland Harness Training Centre.”
McNaulty said he also spent 12 months at Pat Driscoll’s Yabby Dam Farms, near Ballarat, gaining a further wealth of experience.
“I have a great love for square gaiters and my time there was awesome.”
However, McNaulty said one regret he did have was not venturing to America or Europe.
“It’s probably too late now, but to work over there somewhere would be unreal I reckon.”
The stable, with a team of 10, is pinning its hopes at present with consistent trotter Fratellino NZ who is shooting for a $10,000 bonus in a country cups series; along with 3yo Its All Business and five times winner Dixirosalie.
“With six races to go in the series we are sitting on top, but the competition is about to hot up,” McNaulty said.
“Hopefully the Ouyen win will see the start of a bit of a roll for us because it’s been a bit of a struggle lately. But we’ll just keep plugging away doing our best and I’m sure the results will come.”
Terry Gange
NewsAlert PR Mildura