| PEOPLE |
YEAR: 2012
MURRAY GRAY
Russell Morton described the late Murray Gray as direct and uncomplicated, black and white. "There was nothing gray about him," said Morton, who had helped at his stables for the past seven years and led the funeral service for Murray. He died at Ryal Bush on May 27 aged 63. "He had the strength and confidence to do the right thing with horses; he knew when to be patient, to get the right response or when tough love was required," Morton added.
When it came to greatest moments in harness racing, there is no doubt Giovanetto provided them for Gray. Bred in partnership and trained by him throughout his 59 start career, the entire son of Fitch II and Bella Ragazza won 18 times including the 1991 Welcome Stakes, and in 1992 the Southern Supremacy Stakes, 4yo Rising Stars, Hannon Memorial and Monsanto Free-For-All.
The paths of Giovanetto and Chokin crossed regularly and when Giovanetta finished second in the 1991 3yo Rising Stars and 3yo Sires Stakes, Chokin was the victor. The same was the case when Giovanetto ran third in the 1991 2yo Sires Stakes, the 2yo Championship an the 1993 New Zealand Cup. A year earlier he finished second in the Cup, denied then by Blossom Lady
At the time, Giovanetto was the best Gray had bred but that all changed when his half brother Holmes D G, by Holmes Hanover arrived. Gray developed Holmes D G, qualified him at Wyndham as a juvenile in 1997 and took him to Forbury Park for his debut with son Brett in the sulky. "We lost 80 of 90 metres at the start," recalled Brett. "He finished second (beaten three quarters of a length). That run created the real interest in him." Sold before he raced again, Holmes D G went on to win all-but $2 million.
One of six in a family, Gray's parents ran the Makarewa freezing works farm. He attended Makarewa Primary and Southland Tech High, excelling in athletics, cross country and rugby. After leaving school at age 15 and worked as a farm hand for a time, he went shearing. He married Jen at Milton in August, 1970 and after Brett they had two daughters, Joanna and Paula.
While still a shearer, Gray and family moved next door to the property of Ron Barron. That was when his interest in harness racing grew to participation. According to Brett, his father's involvement then was still as an amateur, gradually changing to a professional level about 30 years ago when he moved to Ryal Bush.
Gray was a successful breeder, seller, owner, trainer, driver and administrator, being a driving force and founding member of Southland Caduceus Club, head for a time of the Owners Trainer Breeders (OTB) organisation, prominent in the Standardbred Breeders Association and a Trustee for Kids Kartz. He trained the winners of about 150 races and also drove a few. When Giovanetto was a 3yo he was in the sulky six times for six wins.
Outside harness racing Gray was active in the Makarewa Country Club during its early years and president of the Ryal Bush Community Centre.
Credit: HRWeekly 13June2012
YEAR: 1998
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| The Second Five Syndicate with the Derby trophy |
Before the Smokefree New Zealand Derby much of the talk was who would run second to Holmes D G. In reality, that is exactly what happened. Holmes D G took the lead off Motoring Anvil after 600 metres, proceeded to run it hard, and kept the squeeze on. Totally dominant from the time of Christian Cullen's exit, Holmes D G forged clear at the turn, leaving the others to scrap and scrape for the minor money. Annie's Boy was the only chaser to charge with any real dignity, finishing from the back and very late for second. From last, where he must have been eight lengths from Holmes D G at on stage the gap was less than three lengths.
Holmes D G ran the 2600m in 3:11.1, a New Zealand record which would have raised a sweat even on Christian Cullen. He gave trainer Barry Purdon his third Derby win, coming after Kiwi Scooter in 1992 and Ginger Man in 1994. As good as they were Purdon rates Holmes D G a bit above them. 'I think he's better...the perfect racehorse really. Kiwi Scooter was a great stayer. I mean he won the Derby sitting parked for the last mile. Ginger Man had the speed, but wasn't tough," he said.
A 3-year-old half-brother to Giovanetto, a Cup horse and now at stud in Southland, Holmes D G was bred and trained initially by Murray Gray. He was from Bella Ragazza, a mare Gray claims is the worst horse he has ever trained. "She didn't want to be a racehorse, and I probably would not have bred from her but my partners did," he said. Besides leaving two outstanding horses and a useful one in Economizza, Bella Ragazza is the dam of a yearling colt by Soky's Atom, and is not in foal this season. She has left eight foals, all colts.
Holmes D G raced once for Gray, running second in a race at Forbury Park to Enter Hurry Zone. One of those impressed with this performance was Invercargill trainer and former Purdon employee, Tony Barron. As it happened, prominent Australian owner Terry Henderson also heard about the horse and arrived on the scene much the same time as David Sixton, John Hart, John Ede and Katrina Purdon. Four became five, in fact the Second Five Syndicate, which is already well into the black after buying Holmes D G for a sum just over $100,000. His earnings, from ten which include the Great Northern and Victorian Derbys, have how topped $300,000. All three classics have been won in identical manner, in front, rolling along at a good clip, but always in control. "He felt strong all the way," reported Purdon. "He really felt as though he was enjoying it," he said. Purdon said Holmes D G would have one more race this season, the $A100,000 New South Wales Derby on May 8, and then be given a spell.
While the Second Five Syndicate is only just over a year old, the principals have been Purdon clients for 12 years. They started with Volarco, a son of Vance Hanover and Via Volare who won a couple before being sold and racing in Australia. Next came Kenwood Don, a useful winner and sold after winning five from eight. They stepped up a notch for their next purchase, spending big money at the time for Montana Vance. He didn't let them down, getting to Cup class. They purchased The Sweeper before the biggest score of them all, Holmes D G. As owners, and enthusiasts of harness racing, Purdon rates them A1. "The good thing about them is the support they give. There's always an entourage. They all went to Australia, to watch them in the Derby, and they are here with all their families tonight," he said.
The syndicate also has a Falcon Seelster yearling filly they bought at the sales, while Henderson expects a big run from his galloper Doreimus in Saturday's Sydney Cup.
Credit: HRNZ Weekly