LONGFORD trainer Ian Hay was a talented footballer in his heyday with the Currie Football Club on KingIsland and it was his passion for Aussie Rules that deprived him from seeing his lightly raced five-year-old Upanova break his maiden status in Launceston on Sunday.
Hay and his mate a fellow trainer John Keys attended the CFC 40-year reunion leaving hay’s wife Linda to take care of business at The TOTE Racing Centre.
Upanova, with Michael Guthrie aboard, settled midfield and made steady progress from the 600-metre peg before letting down brilliantly to score a runaway win over Our Gee Gee and March Fire.
It was the gelding’s third outing this preparation and Mrs. Hay was surprised he started at such big odds.
The Hay’s bred Upanova from a broodmare Jesanova that they b red and raced.
Listen to what Linda Hay had to say about Upanova’s win in Launceston – click here .