Than Franklin trainer who has won almost $15 million in stakes, including almost every Group One event New Zealand has to offer, created his own piece of driving history at Manawatu Raceway last night (Tuesday).
Geoff Small drove his 100th career winner in the second event when the 3-year-old Christian Cullen filly he trains at Pukekohe – Mychristian got up by half a head. She was the $6.30 fourth favourite in the $6,000 PGG Wrightson Maiden Pace.
“I didn’t know I was on 99 not out until Richard Bull reminded. I’m not really a numbers man but it’s quite satisfying to know that I’ve finally got the ton. I’m glad I did it on Aria’s (wife) horse,” Small said.
The 54-year-old Pukekohe horseman has waited one year and seven months for his 100th winner. His 99th also came at Manawatu when he steered Sea MC to a one-and-a-quarter length win over stablemate Spare Change and David Butcher. That was on April 14, 2015.
“The Butcher boys usually drive my team and when they weren’t available to get on yesterday I decided to drive the filly. She goes okay. That was just her second start,” Small said.
Small has driven sparingly since he got his junior driver’s licence in 1982. He’s had 1,430 starts since then and has also placed 99 times for $934,328 in stakes. His best season was in 1985-1986 when he drove 12 winners.
That’s a far cry from the 969 training victories he’s landed since 1987. Included in those wins are numerous Group One and Two events such as the 2008 New Zealand Cup winner Changeover and the 2003 and 2004 Auckland Cup winner, Elsu.
In fact Small also trained 3-year-old Tintin In America colt, Kiwi Tintin to win the last event. He was one of two winners for Small’s number one stable driver, David Butcher.
The other came via 4-year-old Live Or Die gelding, Lynton Creek in the third race. That provided Butcher with his first solo training success since his father John passed away in early September.
Butcher and his father trained 343 ($2.5m) winners between 1988 and 2016.
“David is the consummate professional both on and off the track and has provided us with many happy moments over the years. I think he can go close with Kiwi Tintin again on the second day.
“He said the horse relaxed well when he got to the front yesterday. It all depends on the draws at Manawatu but my team usually backs up well.
“In saying that none of them are champions. The draw and luck in the running plays a big part down there. They are all capable of winning and I don’t see them as being better than the others. To win they will need things to go their way,” said Small.
Small works a team of about 18 at Pukekohe. He relocated from Patumahoe two years ago and even though he was still immersed in harness racing he had other priorities these days.
“My daughters are growing up fast and that’s where our main energies lie. Our oldest daughter Zena isn’t into horses. She’s into her school work, while our youngest daughter, Leeshelle is 14 and is in the New Zealand Equestrian team. In fact we recently went with her to watch her compete in Belgium,” Small said.
Asked if he would be getting in the sulky more in future seasons, Small replied:
“It all depends if David lets me. He gets to call the shots,” Small winked.
Small is no mug driver. He reined Revonez to win the $60,000 Group One New Zealand 2yo Championship at Alexandra Park in March 1998.
He said he probably won’t be driving tomorrow (Thursday) and rated Kiwi Tintin as his best hope ahead of Manihiki Pearl, Delightful Zen Mychristian, Will Desire and first starter Callmemaybe.
Duane Ranger