Cambridge lawyer Murray Branch drove his first winner in just over a quarter of a century at Cambridge Raceway last night (Thursday) and then told HRNZ that he would now bow out a winner.
“I only drove Burt Munro because we thought he had no chance. I also had a few friends come to the meeting so I thought why not have a drive in front of them. One of them had $5 each-way on him.
“My wife Sue (trainer) usually drives him and David (son) now has his full licence back after being an amateur. I’d say he will drive him at future meetings away from Cambridge Raceway – which means I can now retire a winner,” Branch joked.
“This race was only to prepare ‘Burt’ for grass track racing in the summer. He’s usually lazy, but was right on up on the bit last night. He got the nice run to suit,” he added.
It was in fact Burt Munro’s sixth career win in a whopping 147 starts – and first on an all-weather track. His one-and-three-quarter length victory in the $7,000 New World Handicap for the Up to R5 rated trotters saw the 11-year-old Earl gelding pay $52.80 to win.
There were 10 starters in the 2200m stand and he was the 10th favourite.
“It was a wonderful feeling simply because it was unexpected. In fact a lot of his wins have been a surprise. His stablemate Itsnowornever (Nicky Chilcott) finished seventh.
“You have to applaud the current handicap system. Both horses would not be racing now if it wasn’t for the new ratings. Itsnowornever is in foal and won’t be racing for much longer but we will plug on with ‘Burt’ over the summer,” Branch said.
“The way he went last night, I think he’s got another win in him. You just never know with this character. He has been ridden in Monte races recently and I think that may have hardened him up a bit. It certainly hasn’t put him off,” he added.
Branch's last victory in the sulky came at the Wanganui meeting back on October 30, 1991 behind Dorothea, who was also trained by his wife.
Prior to that Branch drove four winners in 1988 - all behind Miss Iguassou at Alexandra Park on September 24; Cambridge Raceway on February 19 and January 2; and at Matamata on February 4.
That Iguassou mare was also trained by his wife.
All-up Branch has had nine winners from 136 drives since 1986. He's also placed 25 times and won $52,947 in stakes.
Burt Munro has also placed 38 times and banked $66,894 in stakes. He loves the grass.
Burt Munro was the $5.30 second favourite when he last won at Otaki in January this year. It was his third win from a 30m handicap.
His other victories came when he was the $8.40 fourth favourite at Hawera on March 28, 2016. He started from 30m behind that day as well.
On December 10, 2015, he won off the front when a $24 tenth favourite at Hawera.
Prior to that he he was the $5.80 second favourite when scoring from 30m behind at Te Awamutu on December 29, 2013. His debut win came off the front at Te Aroha on January 6, 2013 when he was the $18.80 tenth favourite.
That first triumph came three years and two months after he made his debut when finishing seventh at Manawatu.
Thursday’s win was from 20m behind.
“He keeps on surprising us. We love racing him and just when we think about retiring him Bert has often thrown a curve ball at us,” Branch said.
It was a real family victory last night. As well as Mum-the-trainer, son David is the Operations Manager at Cambridge Raceway.
Branch junior has driven Burt Munro to win twice.
The family named the brown gelding after Southland legend, Burt Munro, who set his 1,000 cc motorbike land speed world record, at Bonneville on August 26, 1967.
The record, which was set on the densely packed salt pan in northwestern Utah on a 47-year-old Indian motorcycle he rebuilt, still stands.
Munro was 68 at the time. Branch is 58.
