Father of two, Ival Brownlee, believed his two children – Ival Jr (3) and Levi (2) – have indirectly helped him, condition one of the best maidens that has ever gone through his Pokeno barn.
“You have to coax him a bit. It’s like playing a game with him. You have to give and take. If you tried hitting him it would be disastrous – you’d get nowhere. There have been times when I have started questioning myself with this fella.
“It reminds me of parenting really. I have to treat this horse like he’s one of my kids,” Brownlee said.
The three-year-old son of Art Major and Arden Banner he was referring to is Banner Of Art, who looks the ready-made favourite in the second event at Alexandra Park tonight – the Speight’s $12,000 Maiden Pace.
Banner Of Art has recorded two eye-catching seconds, in his last two Alexandra Park starts on June 20 and July 7. He drew one and four respectively on those night’s, tonight he and regular pilot Todd Macfarlane have drawn five (of seven).
If the bay gelding does get up, it will be Brownlee’s first win since he trained and drove G J Seelster to a neck victory, when favourite at New Plymouth on March 17, 2015.
Prior to that his previous victory came at Alexandra Park on May 30, 2014, when he steered Charming Desire to win by a length at odds of $59.20.
“I’ve spent a lot of one-on-one time trying to work out other people’s rejects, and to be fair after a lot of hard work, and give-and-take this horse is finally starting to realise what racing is all about.
“It can be a frustrating game at times, and you often wonder if all the time with the horses, and not with family, is worth it. In this case it’s proving worthwhile,” Brownlee said.
“He can stay and he’s got speed. It’s just great to have a decent horse to get up for every morning,” he added
Brownlee said he got Banner of Art off Steve Phillips well before he started his career, with a 10th at Alexandra Park on September 30 last year.
"He wasn't suited to Steve's training regime, and even though it's taken some time, the penny is finally starting to drop.
"Steve said he had a few problems with him, and it didn't take me long to see the Art Major coming out in him. He was angry and tried to fight me all the time. He was a bit of a rogue," Brownlee said.
"I'm so happy the patience and perseverance is starting to pay off," the 45-year-old Franklin horseman added.
Banner Of Art’s last two placings have been his only first three finishes in 10 starts.
Driver Macfarlane dubbed him as his ‘drive-of-the-night’ last start.
“He just gives you a nice feel and will win one at very short notice,” Macfarlane said.
With those comments, Banner Of Art looks set to break through for his maiden win tonight.
Duane Ranger