Racing: Start 53 and Ivy Gold is victorious

If you think Craig Phelan's absolute determination was the guiding factor in keeping Ivy Gold racing after 52 beaten performances, that's only part of it.

When Ivy Gold won her first race at start No 53 at Matamata yesterday, Phelan had thoughts only for the mare's deceased owner Brian Cumming.

"This is for Brian, he was like a father to me."

Brian Cumming, the Toyota franchise holder in Rotorua, died in a car crash last year.

"I kept her going only because of Brian's memory, but in the end I thought it was better to breed from her," said Phelan, who trains a small team at Rotorua.

"I put her to Kingsttenham, but she didn't get in foal. I did a bit of work on her so my son could ride her in the picnic race at the Reporoa sports day and she won by seven lengths. I said bugger it, let's keep going on her."

There have been some signs of improvement. Two starts previous Ivy Gold finished third in a similar Matamata maiden race and last start on her home track at Rotorua she had been only two lengths away in sixth place.

Matthew Williamson brought her to the outside in the home straight yesterday and the 6-year-old mare hit the finish strongly.

"Brian would have loved this. He never married and was a second father to me. He had only two passions in life, horse racing and ballroom dancing."

And, yes, Ivy Gold will continue on the racetracks in search of more success.

"Call it the stubborn Irish streak in me."