Win 25 for Santanna Mach at Ashburton

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 
 
In the latest achievement for one of the country's most consistent and enduring performers, Santanna Mach secured his 25th victory at Ashburton yesterday.

Trained by Michael House and driven by son Wilson, the 12-year-old again showed he has plenty of oomph in his ageing legs. In his 265th start he ran the last 800 metres in 57.6 to win by nearly three lengths.

"It's all about the right race on the right day for him," says Michael House who has guided the horse since his debut as a three-year-old in 2017.

"He's good from a stand or a mobile, short distance or long distance and that adaptability is key."

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 more wins and 185 more starts than the race's next most experienced starter, Flyaway who finished seventh.

Not that he's the only veteran still being competitive in their advancing years.

"There are a few horses in his realm," says House, "the likes of 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 dual-gaited 15-year-old Take After Me leads the pack in terms of longevity while trotting workhorse Rachmaninov has had 15 wins from 301 starts including two victories as recently as last month.

Santanna Mach's latest win follows another remarkable milestone he achieved at Westport last year. He completed the full set of having raced at every active harness racing course in the country.

He's raced at 31 tracks overall and that could be well be added to later in the month if he steps out at Taupo for the first ever harness meeting there on January 26.

So when will House call time on Santanna Mach's racing days?

"It's a huge responsibility," says House, "we want to finish on the right note."

That means ensuring he is sound and healthy for his Life After Racing, whenever that does happen.