Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since Chris Voak drove Carrera Mach to his first victory, as a three-year-old at Bunbury at his second start in a race, on January 14, 2018.
Voak was at it again at Gloucester Park on Friday night when he guided the eight-year-old Carrera Mach to a thrilling last-stride win in the 1730m The Trots WA Pace at his 129TH start in a race.
Quizzed why Carrera Mach was still a sprightly performer, the old gelding’s trainer Jemma Hayman said that there was no secret for his longevity and his enjoyment of racing.
“The key for a horse of his age is to keep him happy and keep him fit and sound,” she said. “He is a genuine trier who always gives you his best. When he puts in a bad run it leaves us scratching our heads, saying what have we done wrong and not blaming the horse because he is such a genuine horse.
“He has always had troubles with his feet, and I should give credit to Lachie Kenelly, a young guy who works for us. We have given Carrea Mach to him as a project over the past month, and he has done a very good job with him.
“Lachie is a stablehand and an aspiring young driver, who is an equestrian rider and also has a real knack for driving in the cart.”
Carrera Mach’s win on Friday night took his record to 129 starts for 16 wins, 42 placings and stakes of $203,083.
Carrera Mach was a $9.40 chance from the inside of the back line, and he trailed the pacemaker and $1.75 favourite Let It Linga before Voak eased him off the pegs approaching the home turn, and the gelding finished strongly to get up and win by a nose from $41 chance The Kraken, who had raced in the breeze and taken the lead 200m from home. The final 800m was covered in 57.2sec. and Carrera Mach rated 1.55.2.