Sally well and truly paying her way

Bruce Stewart Contributor

Eight year old trotting mare Sally Lindenny (Majestic Son) has proved to be a bit of a bargain buy for Southland harness owner Murray Swain.

“I think I paid three and a half for her. Kevin Townley had her and he didn’t get her in foal. I liked her breeding because Ben Calder had some good ones out of that family. I like trotters and I haven’t had too many,” Swain said.

After settling Sally Lindenny back, trainer driver Kirstin Green made a lightning move taking her to the front with a lap to run. She held out MM Sunshine and a late charging Hot Saucy Betty.

“One thing about Kirstin is she drives them aggressively and puts them in the race (laughter).”

Sally Lindenny has now won eight races, six of which have been on the grass.

“She’s good on the grass and I would have loved the win to be penalty free but we couldn’t get a junior driver.”

Sally Lindenny (Bruce Stewart File Photo)

For Green, Sally Lindenny’s record is twelve starts for three wins, a second and five thirds and over $25,000 in stakes.

“That’s a big effort in four or five months. She’s definitely improved because she didn’t get a cheque in Canterbury last year. Racing down here isn’t probably as hard as it is up there. The idea was to win one race and pay for her service fee. She’s done that and more. She’ll keep racing and probably go to the grass at Riverton.” 

Swain who held a trainer’s licence for a number of years is currently helping out at Green’s stable.

“My mate Ewan Waddell said that Kirstin was going on holiday and needed a hand for three weeks, and I haven’t left yet (laughter). Kirstin’s done a good job. I was worried about backing up from Roxburgh because of  travelling back home and back to Cromwell again, but she got there.”

As a trainer Swain has trained a small number of trotters including Phillipa’s Wish which won in Invercargill in 2002.

Swain wasn’t at Cromwell today, as he was representing the Waikiwi Club at the New Zealand Bowls Championship in Christchurch.

“We’ve won two games and just lost to a couple of Black Jacks (New Zealand representatives) Shannon McIlroy and Kelvin Scott. We need to win two more matches tomorrow to qualify.”

Swain plans to get Sally Lindenny in foal to Royal Aspirations. The eight year old mare is out of Sungait Sally, a full sister to Sarah Lindenny the dam of Nubliah Chamay which won later in the day.

Swain says he’s breeding from four or five mares including Snipers Lair and Ideal Gal who’ve both gone to Lord Forbes.

“I give Gav (Lord Forbes owner Gavin Forbes) a hand and going to Lord Forbes is a bit of a punt.”