Samantha Ottley’s first winning drive at Alexandra Park on Friday (November 4) never panned out like she thought it would.
Driving what she described as one of the fastest horses she had ever sat behind, Rocker Band simply out-sprinted her seven rivals in the $14,000 Movenpick Mobile for the R77 to R107 pacers.
“There was talk that she would just lead and win but when I came out of the gate that wasn’t the case. I knew there were a couple of pacers who could fly the gate and when that happened I had to ease back,” 26-year-old Ottley said.
The Mark Jones trained Harness Jewels winner, Rocker Band, was third last early from her six-draw and remained there until Ottley made her move with 900m remaining.
“I had to take luck out of the equation. She was travelling well and I just had to put her into the race. Zac (Butcher) advised me that if there’s cheap sectionals run in sprint races here you have to be handy on the turn to win. That was great advice,” Ottley said.
Rocker Band then sat parked down the back straight the last time and then in the home straight was simply too strong winning by three quarters of a length and pacing the 1700m mobile in 2:01.4 (mile rate a slashing 1:54.9) and last 800m and 400m in 55.5 and 27.5.
“She can be a bit of a trick at times. Even though she relaxed early she did lose an a length of so turning for home. But then wow what a feeling to go up outside a good horse like Ideal Belle and go past her.
“I’ve driven some real nice horses like Stylish Monarch, Stent and Pure Power in the past, but this mare would be the fastest horse I’ve sat behind. Her sectionals were so quick yet she felt so relaxed,” Ottley said.
Rocker Band has now won 10 of her 28 starts and placed in five others for just under $175,000 in stakes. Her career highlight came at Cambridge Raceway on June 4 this year when she won the $150,000 Group One 4yo Mares’ Diamond.
“That was a real thrill winning the Jewels but it was also great to win my first race at Alexandra Park. I must have been there five times now. It’s a lovely track to drive on. I just hope I can retain the drive,” Ottley said.
She said she would love to sit behind the royally bred 5-year-old Rocknroll Hanover – Mainland Banner mare on at ‘The Park’ on December 31..
That’s when Rocker Band will line up in the prestigious Group One Rosslands Queen of Hearts Pace for our country’s best pacing mares.
“I want to keep my bum firmly on the sulky seat that she drags around. In saying that I never expect it. Mark has been so good to me since I joined him just over a year ago.
“When I went there I thought I would get the occasional drive, but he’s put me on everything, and I’m so humbled by that especially when he’s a world champion driver and is watching me drive his horses from the grandstand!
“I can’t thank Mark enough. His belief and faith in me has been phenomenal,” Ottley said.
“Actually I would like to thank everyone who has supported. I’ve had such a good start to the season and I’m so grateful to all the owners and trainers who have put me on their horses,” she added.
Ottley has already driven 16 winners ($110,334) this season and 219 ($1.7m) since her career started in 2008.
She currently sits fifth on the national driving premiership, and is New Zealand’s top female driver – 10 clear of second-placed Natalie Rasmussen.
Meanwhile, other highlights from Alexandra Park onFriday included two wins each from Brent Mangos, Barry Purdon, and Steve Telfer/Chris Garlick.
Mangos trained and drove Mr Good And Evil to win the first race and then just over half an hour later he steered the Purdon trained Rariza to victory in race two.
Purdon's other triumph came via the Zac Butcher driven $1.60 favourite Raptor's Flight in the third race, while Telfer and Garlick trained Rhythm N Blues (Scott Phelan) and Ideal Roman (Jack MacKinnon) to win races six and eight respectively.
Morrinsville conditioner Daniel Erickson also trained his first winner when Todd Mitchell got Turbulent Flow up in the last stride to win the 10th event.
Story on Erickson follows this week.
Duane Ranger