PALMERSTON NORTH - Members of the Upper Hutt Rugby Club had to wait until the final event of the day yesterday, but they cheered longest and loudest.
Their Masterton-trained mare Hush Marie won her second race from 11 starts when taking out a class one event over 1400m at the Rangitikei Hunt Club's meeting at Awapuni.
The Lord Ballina filly came with the last run to impressively overhaul Renando and Jollify. Hush Marie won on debut at Tauherenikau in May last year after a similar last to first effort over 1000m.
She is raced by Danny's Dirty Dozen Syndicate, managed by sales manager Danny Anderson of Upper Hutt.
All but one of the 12 members have close affiliations with the Upper Hutt Rugby Club. One member is Brian Nally, brother-in-law to the filly's trainer Jim Wallace, of Opaki. Seven of the group are first-time owners.
The winning syndicate paid $24,000 for the horse at the Karaka yearling sales and she was sent to Wallace to be broken in.
However, Wallace was not top of the list when it came to selecting a trainer, and she eventually ended up in the stable of Sue Walsh at Foxton for early education.
In two trials during the summer of 1999, Hush Marie failed to raise the hopes of her syndicate and it was decided to send her back to Wallace's property for a six-week spell, where she has stayed ever since.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day's racing, tragedy struck the connections of The Mighty Machine, who broke down badly at the final fence in the Rangitikei Hunt Cup Steeples.
The Mighty Machine looked home for the money, but landed awkwardly, fracturing his off hind leg and had to be put down.
The Mighty Machine's mishap left Currency (Rochelle Lockett) clear and he went on to score by 10 lengths over Beau Weavel, who was 25 lengths in front of Gunnedah and Another Pirate.
I'm A Bachelor (Ross Elliot), who was lying third approaching the last fence, tumbled over on landing as well, but was remounted to fill fifth position.
Currency now extends a fine record over jumps. He is unbeaten over hurdles and has won three from five over country.
- NZPA
Racing: Players celebrate when mare scores
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