By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
More than half a century after his first success, veteran Methven-based trainer Terry May was back in the winner’s circle at Rangiora yesterday.
The 92-year-old combined with Slyx in the Anne Thompson Pacers Graduation Final, with the Terror To Love three-year-old having his first win at start number three.
To make it even better this was a family affair – the horse was driven by son and Hall of Famer Ricky May, and bred by Ricky’s wife Judy.
“It was a big thrill no doubt about that,” Terry May says, “it’s been a long time.”
His last winner was with another son of Terror To Love, also bred by Judy May, called The Terrorfier at Addington in 2022.
It’s 50 years since his first win on his own account. That was with Deeside at Forbury Park on September 12, 1975. According to HRNZ records he also had 62 in partnership with his father Clarrie between 1969 and 1975.
Clarrie, who was a blacksmith, started out training in the 1940s while his brother Leonard May trained from Kumeu between 1952-85.
Clarrie’s sons, Terry, Leo and Clive then followed them into the sport, with Ricky becoming the third generation to get involved.
So was May senior confident about his chances yesterday?
“No – not in that field,” he laughs.
Drawn one the second row Slyx had an extraordinary run in the Final.
Ricky May found himself five back the pegs mid-race before getting some much-needed luck.
“I was down the end of the back straight and they all pulled off the fence and I got a run down the inside.” Ricky May says.
He found himself in the trail around the home turn and then scooted up the passing lane to win by a length.
“It was a good time too,” says May.
Slyx cut out the 2600 metre mobile in 3:13.22
Terry was among the May clan on course to enjoy the moment.
“He still helps me out every day on the farm”, Ricky May says, “he keeps pretty fit.”
May was also quick to credit his good mate Brendon Hill for the work he’d done with the horse at his Swannanoa stables in North Canterbury.
“He (Slyx) had a problem with getting grit in his face – he just didn’t like it and I could only work him by myself at Methven on the grass.”
“So he’s been with Benny the last couple of weeks and working with the other horses he got used to it.”
May recorded a double at Rangiora with the Joseph Gray-trained Louis winning the Road Metals – Oamaru Mobile Pace. It was his third win in six starts and his fourth overall.
May, the third most successful driver ever in this country, now has 3174 wins dating back to the late 1970s, with only Tony Herlihy (3707) and Maurice McKendry (3420) ahead of him.
