Havtimes give Little winning double at Winton

By Jonny Turner

Invercargill breeder-owner Murray Little’s passion for harness racing was rewarded with a winning double at Winton on Saturday.

Little’s two starters Captainshavtime and Wehavetime led throughout and couldn’t be caught when scoring in trainer Brett Gray’s colours.

The victories saw Little bring up a winning double for the second time in his involvement in harness racing, with a common link between the two occasions.

“It doesn’t get much better than that, I have had two wins once before with Mach’s Back and Captainhavtime’s mum Betterthanbrie,” Little said.

While lawyer is Little’s day job, he spends much of his downtime working with the horses he breeds at his Invercargill property.

Captainshavtime is among those the breeder-owner has enjoyed taking through to the track.

“She was always a nice wee filly, when she was a weanling she used to follow me around the box.”

“I have got a lot of time for her.”

“She is just a nice horse and does everything right.”

Captainshavtime is likely to head to Addington in a fortnight for the Group Two Bionic Chance Bracelet.

After mixing it in strong two and three-year-old company during his career, Wehavtime was able to break through for his maiden success on Saturday.

The three-year-old thrived when stepping back sharply in distance to one mile.

“He is probably suited to the mile, over the longer distances he is not as good.”

“But he went well today, too, and I am pretty pleased with him too.”

Wehavtime will be freshened by the Gray stable following his maiden win on Saturday.

When he is not working with his horses, Little also finds plenty of time to be involved with the administration of harness racing at a range of levels.

It is a journey that started with the Invercargill Harness Racing Club, which Little is now a life member of.

“I think I have been on the Invercargill committee for in excess of 20 years.”

“I didn’t believe Southern Harness had been going for 15 years and I have been on it from the outset.”

“And Penny Baynes and I are now on the National Forum, representing the southern region.”

“There have been lots of Zoom calls, and I think there will be a lot of positive things you will see in the next five to six months.”