Aaliyah's win big thrill for new owners

By Jonny Turner 

Ian Rolfe and Julie Allan admit they were hooked on harness racing even before they tasted their first success in the sport with Aaliyah.

The Invercargill husband and wife race the talented two-year-old who ran to victory in their hometown at Ascot Park last week.

Incredibly, both Rolfe and Allan were drawn out among the five winners of a racing share from the hundreds of entries in a Facebook competition run by Matthew Williamson’s stable.

In just her sixth start, the filly ran to a smart maiden victory for the couple who are among a big group of owners who race her. 

“We were there and it was a huge thrill to see her win,” Rolfe said.

“It was exciting – the way she went past them.”

“She even pulled up a bit when she got to the front.”

“She is still learning and Matty is learning more about her as she goes.”

“He thinks she is better coming from behind.”

The Facebook giveaway of racing shares in Aaliyah was open to people who were not previously registered harness racing owners.

Matthew and Charlotte Williamson combined with Aaliyah’s breeder Gavin Fry to come up with the initiative.

After winning their shares, Rolfe and Allan almost immediately leapt into the ownership of another horse.

“Gavin has been great and we have actually gone into another horse with him, so we are hooked now,” Allan said.

“She is a half-sister to Aaliyah who has been broken in.”

The couple enjoyed harness racing previously and are now loving the ownership experience.

“We knew who Matty was before we got into Aaliyah and we would go over to the races (at Ascot Park) ,” Allan said.

“It is good to go down and see the horse and give her a pat.”

“Matty is great with keeping us updated, he is straight onto it even on his way home to Oamaru.”

Rolfe, Allan and Aaliyah’s big group of owners can now look forward to watching their pride and joy starting in a heat of the Dunstan Sires Stakes Series at Ashburton on Monday.

A good result opens up the possibility of the Aaliyah team living a harness racing owner’s dream – their filly starting in the Group 1 Sires Stakes Final on Show Day at Addington.