While we all celebrate Mother’s Day, Magra trainer Juanita McKenzie is also preparing for her 21st.
“Oh heavens, if only,” laughed Juanita.
With 20 wins for the season Juanita has worked herself into fourth place on the Tasmanian Trainers Premiership Table and is a runaway leader in the Leading Female Trainers Award.
“It’s been a rewarding season for our stable, we have a strong little team that are all working well and racing consistently so I’m happy with the way the year is panning out.”
Juanita’s winning percentage of 23 is second only to Rohan Hillier’s amazing 38 percent for trainers with 20 wins or more for the season.
One pacer hugely responsible for the amazing strike rate is The Aussie, notching up six wins and seven placings from 15 starts for the stable.
“The Aussie has been a real revelation, we got him from Victoria early last year but he had a few issues when he arrived and it took us a while to get him right, but once we did he has just been an incredible addition to our stable,” said Juanita, full of admiration.
The Art Major-The Kindly One four-year-old will contest race four, the Sky Racing Pace over 2090 metres from the stand.
“The Aussie loves stand starts, he’s won two and been placed three of his six starts from the tapes so I’m sure he will begin well and take a power of beating,” said the quietly confident trainer.
“Rodney Ashwood will handle him tonight and he does a great job, not just as our stable driver along with Ricky Duggan but as our farrier as well, I call him our shoe-oligist as he does some sensational work.”
Juanita’s current team includes Jaks Teller, the winner of eight of eleven starts, Mister Lennox, Remember Joe and Isaac.
“We are looking at Victorian opportunities for Isaac and The Aussie in the coming weeks so it would be encouraging to see The Aussie go well tonight.” said the Magra mentor.
Tonight’s seven-event Tasmanian Pacing Club card commences at 17.02 and may be viewed by the TasracingTV live stream service at tasracing.com.au.
Catch Duncan Dornauf's From The Stables interview with trainer Marc Butler about his runners' chances in the meeting: