McNally claims 500th driving win

By Mike Love 

Canterbury reinsman Stephen McNally is happy to have knocked off a big milestone in his driving career, reaching 500 winners in the sulky. 

The win came when he drove Harry Belafonte, who he also trains and owns, along with his father, Ray, and good friend Cedric Coll, to win the Midland Seeds Mobile Pace over a mile at Methven yesterday.

He had been stranded on 499 wins since December 2022. 

“It’s taken a while to come. I haven't really chased it too hard. Came close a few times. I didn't really know what to expect with the conditions yesterday, but he handled it better than most,” said McNally.  

In what were horrible conditions at Mt Harding, Harry Belafonte sat three back on the fence for the entire trip. Covered in mud, McNally was able to gain a clear run at them from the top of the straight to down Mouton Cadet, who was a very credible runner-up.

“He felt just as comfortable as he would on any other surface. He got a nice run too.”

The win was the seven-year-old A Rocknroll Dance’s third. 

McNally has had a driving career spanning 26 years, winning over $4.3 million in stakes. When reflecting on some of his highlights, Tact Lizzie's win in the 2010 Group 1 Breeders Stakes at Addington stands out, when trained by Trevor Proctor.

“Winning a Group 1 on Tact Lizzie was probably my best win. I’ve driven quite a few nice horses, but another one that stands out is Power Of Tara. There was one New Zealand Cup he would’ve gone close if things had gone right, but he ran a cracker for fourth.”

That was the one of Monkey King’s cups, Power Of Tara and McNally finishing just 2.9 lengths from the King, and runner-up Smoken Up, with Sleepy Tripp running third.

McNally has also trained 51 winners, with over $400,000 in stakes.

“I normally only have one or two young ones with the idea to get them going along good enough to sell. But Dad likes having one racing, so I grabbed him (Harry Belafonte) for that purpose, and he’s done a good job.” 

“I also have a Sweet Lou yearling filly, and a two-year-old Always B Miki that’s qualified - Commander In Chief. Brent White qualified him for me, and he goes pretty nice.”

“Jade, my partner, helps me work them. She actually does most of the driving of Harry.”

McNally trains his team from his Motukarara base.