Syndicate relishing Southern Surge success

By Jonny Turner 

While dreams are free, the harness racing ride a group of southern lads are enjoying is priceless.

The Dreams Are Free Syndicate celebrated another special moment at Central Southland Raceway when their pacer Rakmacknra kept his unbeaten record intact in a Southern Surge victory on Monday.

The group's first horse produced an unforgettable memory at the same track almost three years ago.

Then, Dreams Are Free staged an incredible recovery to win in scenes that went viral across social media.

The six-strong Dreams Are Free Syndicate is made up of Jimmy Sinclair, Paddy Corkery, Paul Corkery, Brendan Grace, Adam Ronald and Lachie McCall, who are spread across Southland and Central Otago.

Dreams Are Free has taken the group on an incredible ride since his Winton win and now looms as a potential New Zealand Cup contender after his excellent effort in Friday night's Group 3 Maurice Holmes Vase.

Stepping out in New Zealand's greatest race would cap an incredible journey for the group, which didn't get started with harness racing ownership in mind.

"We actually started more as a punters club," Sinclair said.

"It was during Covid and we organised a couple of trips that got cancelled."

"Then we said why don't we get a horse."

Sinclair is the son-in-law of prominent Southland owner-breeder Brendon Fahy, who races both Dreams Are Free and Rakmaknra with the syndicate.

The group has a three-starters-for-three-winners record, having also raced and sold Hammer Down.

They're quick to credit Fahy for being the driving force behind their success.

"When we decided to get a horse I talked to BJ (Brendon) and he said the sales were coming up, so why don't we get a yearling,” Sinclair said.

"He went up there and came home with Dreams Are Free."

"He deserves all of the credit, we are just riding his coattails."

"He puts a hell of a lot into the industry and he enjoys seeing younger fellas and new owners come into the game.”

Fahy bred Rakmacknra and brought the syndicate in to race the pacer.

They also have a full brother to Sherrif (7 NZ wins) in Rustler, who has been to the workouts recently.

The group have a two-year-old filly also coming through their ranks.

While Nathan Williamson has trained all of their horses, it was stable junior driver Max Hill who was in the cart and clinched the group's Southern Surge victory.

Having coached Hill in rugby, Sinclair was thrilled the young reinsman was able to take his opportunity behind the three-year-old.

"Nathan said if there was going to be a clash Max could drive Rakmaknra because he had done a lot of work with him."

"He reckoned he was as nervous as he had ever been and we were rapt he drove him so well and got the win."

Oamaru is the next destination for the Dreams Are Free Syndicate, with Dreams Are Free set to contest the Group 3 Hannon Memorial next month.