Group-level trots action is back at Tabcorp Melton Park this Saturday and trainer Michael Gadsden hopes the night’s main race will be the next step in King Denny’s return to the throne.
The Ararat horseman is bringing the 2014 New Zealand 3YO Trotter of the Year to Trots HQ for the Aldebaran Park True Roman Trotters Free For All, a Group 3 race over 2240m.
The eight-year-old’s stunning juvenile form might have slipped in recent years but Gadsden said recent efforts, when he had been twice beaten a head after starting off long handicaps, had been promising.
“I thought his last start (at Ararat) was a super run,” Gadsden said. “He came off 50m and sat three-wide without cover for the last 1000m.”
KING DENNY during his last bit for work before he tackles the 50m handicap tomorrow night at Ararat. pic.twitter.com/BhTPYQ6BZe
— Mickbeigh HR (@MickbeighHR) August 14, 2018
As a three and four-year-old King Denny won 10 of 21 starts – including the NZ and Northern derbies – and more than $240,000 for Kiwi trainer Mark Purdon and prolific Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth.
But his form dropped off as injury and reported behavioural issues took their toll.
He made his way to Victoria and Kerryn Manning who raced him six times for a best result of fourth.
Gadsden, a farrier by trade, said he was hoping King Denny’s move to his smaller stable might pay dividends, just like it had for talented trotter Ainthatrightmacca, who won last year’s Barastoc Terang Trotters Cup.
Sunday evening projects. Finally mounting the shoe ainthatrightmacca wore to win the 2017 terang cup. pic.twitter.com/mjCkTxAdkP
— Michael Gadsden (@gaddo_92) August 12, 2018
“(Ainthatrightmacca) always had feet issues all his life and he came to us and raced right through to Group 1 level (finishing fourth in last year’s Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint),” he said.
“The main underlying issue when we got (King Denny), he was quite sore in his front feet. (Being a farrier) has been a big help; we put a therapeutic shoe on him to try and alleviate a bit of the pain and he has come along in leaps and bounds since.”
Gadsden is hoping King Denny can follow in the hoof steps of Ainthatrightmacca, starting Saturday night.
“On his best form, his NZ form, he is up there with them,” he said.
King Denny takes out the Grp1 NZ Trotting Derby for Butterworth Racing Syndicate & Mark Purdon in the bike! #hrnz pic.twitter.com/FxUauJGU5P
— Harness Racing NZ (@HarnessRacingNZ) April 11, 2014
KING DENNY claims a Jewels double taking out the 4YO Ruby. Driven by Mark for the All Stars. #HarnessJewels15 pic.twitter.com/532lxZ98SA
— Harness Racing NZ (@HarnessRacingNZ) May 30, 2015
“His last couple of runs he has shown us enough and this race is a good chance to step him up and see how he goes.”
If King Denny impresses, the next challenge is October’s Bill Collins Trotters Sprint and then potentially the ultimate aim – December’s Trotters Inter Dominion.
“I was really excited when I saw the Inter Dominion was announced. I have a lot of memories of it growing up as a kid,” he said.
“When there was talk about it coming back we had Ainthatrightmacca going well and it all got a bit exciting but he ended up breaking down on us.
“It didn’t look like we weren’t going to have anything but this bloke (King Denny) has come along and the dream to have a runner in the Inter Dominion is there. Hopefully, all going well, it all comes to fruition for all of us.”
MICK GADSDEN JOINED ONE OUT ONE BACK TO TALK KING DENNY, TUNE IN BELOW:
