After winning two trotting races early in the day Kenny and Penny Baynes were in the spotlight again when they won the Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup with Royal Bengal.
"We developed him down here with Robin Swain. Penny wanted to race a horse in Christchurch. Last season he got a virus and didn't finished off the season every well. We spelled him and sent him directly to Ken and Tony Barron in the winter. They've developed the horse and done a great job. He ran some good times over Cup Week. He's a nice wee horse," said Kenny.
In today's pacing feature driver Dexter Dunn settled the four year old into the one one. At the top of the straight Royal Bengal had hit the lead and held out a spirited late challenge by outsider Gotta Del.
Returning with winning driver Dexter Dunn – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Baynes says short term the horse, which has now won four races, is likely to race in New Zealand.
"Penny's not a great seller so we might hang onto this one. He might go to Australia and race in Perth later on."
So in the final washup, Kenny in partnership with his wife Jo and sister in-law Penny won three races on the card today on their home track.
"It's pretty special and a goal of mine. I ran second in 2007 Gore Cup with Wattie. I've been around this Club for a long time. I first worked here about forty years ago when I was a kid keeping the birdcage clean. I was watering the track today and turning up here and winning three races was just a delight."
Kenny's father Colin won the Gore Cup in 1982 with Dab Chick.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing