Harness racing's high achiever | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Ricky May, 51,who has become only the third driver in New Zealand harness racing history to score 2000 wins, talks to Nick Tolerton

Congratulations, Ricky. How did the 2000th feel?

Real good when it happened. It’s probably only the last 18 months that I realised I was going to get there. I’d never thought about it til then.

 

Anything special about your success with Tara Royale at Rangiora to reach the milestone?

I just wanted to get there. It was nice that the horse was owned by Ray Anicich, who I drove for about 26 years ago with a horse called Vita Man, which went to cup class.

 

Remember much about your first win?

It was at Geraldine with Ruling River in the 1976-77 season, just before Christmas. My father Hugh trained it and my grandmother owned it.

t was the horse’s first win, and it basically got me started. She won eight races and she let me drive it from then on. The race was real close. Graham Holmes, who’s no longer with us, thought he’d won, and I thought he’d know!

 

What are the goals now?

Carry on the way I’m going. I’m going pretty well, and people are still giving me drives.

 

Any thoughts of retirement?

No. The people I drive for will let me know when I’m not doing any good. I think I’m driving as well as ever.

 

What’s your favourite track?

Probably Addington Raceway, but Nelson goes a close second. It’s a great track to drive on and a horse gets a real good opportunity, and it’s a good surface.

 

The track you like least?

I don’t like Kaikoura much, it’s a tight wee circuit. It’s a great day out for everyone, but not a great track to drive on.

 

Most wins in a season?

113, I think. Not that long ago, either.

 

What will you do for a break at the end of the season?

I’m going to the Bay of Islands for a week. I’ve never been there.

 

When you’re not driving, you’re farming?

Yes, at Methven. Mainly cropping, and fatten lambs through the winter.

 

What’s Dexter Dunn doing for racing?

He’s made a massive impact and everyone is following him. I drove for his father for years, and I’ve known Dexter all his life. He’s a lovely kid and he takes it all in his stride. But there are a lot of other good drivers about. Dexter’s driven 1200 races this year. I’ve had 600, and I’m running about fifth in New Zealand.

Opportunity is the biggest thing, but Dexter certainly is good.

What’s been your career highlight?

A lot of them. Thirty-six Group Ones in New Zealand and probably at least another half dozen in Australia. The first New Zealand Cup was probably the biggest with Inky Lord in 1989. Just what he did. He was checked at the 600 and any horse checked like that in the cup is usually gone, but he ran them down.

 

Do you want to get into training more?

I’ve always worked in with my father and trained in his name, but we’ve backed right down. Dad’s not getting any younger and I’ve got the farm and driving.

 

What’s your biggest dislike in racing?

Cold, or wet tracks, are just part of the game, so probably the judicial is the worst part. The whole rigmarole when you concentrate on driving and you’ve got to go through all this procedure.

 

Funniest thing you’ve seen on the track?

In a maiden trot at Reefton. It was that wet, it was just a bog. Colin De Filippi and I were down the back straight and Colin yelled "Look at Doug McCormack." Doug was 300m in front of the field and that was the turn for home – and he still got beaten! He was down to a crawl and could have got out and walked faster.

 

Any superstitions?

Not really. Everyone’s got one with 13, but I’ve always found it quite lucky. I’ve drawn 13 and won a lot of times.

 

Your favourite horse?

There’s been a lot. The perfect horse would be Mainland Banner. She was phenomenal to go through maiden and win the New Zealand Cup in 11 months. She was a pleasure to drive, and I suppose you could say the same about Monkey King. Quite different horses, but two super little horses which haven’t got many vices. Both go out and do the job.

 

Interests away from horses and the farm?

I love watching sport, mainly rugby. I was in the first 15 at Methven High School many years ago!

 

What’s your favourite movie?

Shawshank Redemption.

It’s an unreal movie. But I really like watching movies.

 

TV?

The Racing Channel gets a fair hiding. And I like watching rugby. And I suppose I watch Coronation Street!

 

Music?

I always liked Olivia Newton-John.

 

Favourite holiday destination?

Gold Coast. I’ve been there quite a bit. I’ve also been to the Sunshine Coast a bit, but I prefer near Surfers.