DANKE SCORES AGAIN FOR THE DANKE FOR COMING SYNDICATE
Confidence levels were not shooting through the roof with squaregaiter Danke when the rain came at Rangiora on Sunday January 2, 2016.
However, the now 86-start veteran responded to a top drive and handled the conditions better than the rest to take out the C0-1 Happy New Year Trot.
Danke, scored his second win in six months for Mark McNamara’s Danke For Coming Syndicate.
In the process, the 8YO notched his second win since being snapped up by Mark McNamara for the Danke For Coming Syndicate last June and transferring to the Overport Lodge stable of Mark Jones.
Danke had won first-up for the Syndicate in the black and white Overport colours at Forbury on July 17.
Again, as he’s done with busy pacer Fair Dinkum Bromac, trainer Mark Jones racked up the starts with Danke in November-December.
Danke appreciated a drop-back to C1, winning second-up since being downgraded on Sunday, and starting again in a C0-1 trot was a luxury for the four-race winner.
Danke’s had previously also won twice for former Motukarara trainer Murray Edmonds.
The fourth favourite stepped safely for Samantha Ottley off the 30m-line in the opener at Rangiora for his latest win, settling seventh as a few made mistakes.
After working to three back trail on the outer beginning the final lap, Sam waited until the 700m before improving as Young Stranger put some pressure to leader Lisa Marie P.
Sam was able to take a vacant spot in the trail before the turn and well-rated, they made it look easy in the run home, coming clear by 2 1/4 lengths.
Trainer Mark Jones, campaigning other members of the team on the Central Otago New Year circuit, watched from afar by was quickly on the phone to congratulate Mark McNamara and his syndicate on their latest win.
The win was Sam’s fifth driving win for the season and moved Mark’s Overport Lodge stable to 22 training wins for the season.