Trained by Michael House and driven by son Wilson, the 12-year-old once again showed he has plenty of spirit in his aging legs. In his 265th start he ran the last 800 meters in 57.6 and won by almost three lengths.
“For him it’s all about the right race on the right day,” says Michael House, who has guided the horse since his debut as a three-year-old in 2017.
“He is good from a stand or mobile, at short or long distances and that adaptability is key.”
SANTANA MACH REPEAT
House has a detailed knowledge of the rating system and has a knack for placing his horses in winnable races. In yesterday’s race, the R35-40 Trekkin After Racing Pace, Santanna Mach had 17 wins and 185 starts more than the race’s next most experienced starter, Flyaway, who finished seventh.
Not that he’s the only veteran still competitive in his later years.
“There are a few horses in his kingdom,” says House, “such as Rachmaninov, Prince Teka (219 starts), Warloch (196 starts) and Doctor Tim (220 starts). They are all the same vintage.”
With a total of 420 starts (and 21 wins), the 15-year-old two-gaited Take After Me leads the pack in longevity, while the trotting workhorse Rachmaninov has 15 wins from 301 starts, including two wins last month.
Santanna Mach’s latest victory follows another notable milestone he achieved last year in Westport. He completed the full set of racing at every active harness racing track in the country.
He has raced at 31 circuits in total and that could be added to later this month when he heads to Taupo on January 26 for the first ever harness meeting.
So when will House call time on Santanna Mach’s race days?
“It’s a huge responsibility,” says House, “we want to end on the right note.”
That means making sure he stays healthy and sane for his post-racing life, whenever that happens.
For full race results, click here.
Through Dave Di Sommafor Harness News Desk
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