Personal milestone for veteran trainer

HE’S been training for almost five decades, won the industry’s biggest races and a host of premierships, yet at Club Menangle last Saturday night David Aiken registered what is believed to be another personal first.

Just to recap, as a trainer Aiken has won more than 2600 races, including 34 Group Ones, while bankrolling almost $27million since registering his maiden success with Pleasant Trick in Hawkesbury in 1978.

Aiken reached the pinnacle in 2015 when he prepared Lennytheshark to capture the Inter Dominion at Gloucester Park.

Lennytheshark also secured Australasia’s premier sprint – Miracle Mile – at Club Menangle in 2017.

Rarely in the sulky in recent years, Aiken also has 1433 wins as a driver.

As for his latest milestone, Aiken’s three runners – Pesco Pollo, Southern Diamond and Speedy Lover – filled the trifecta in the Pryde’s Easifeed Trotters’ Mobile.

While he has trained numerous trifectas with pacers, Aiken can’t recall achieving the feat with trotters.

“I’d like to say I have done it, but I can’t say for certain,” Aiken said. “There is a good possibility after almost 50 years, this is the first.

“I’ve definitely done it with pacers, but just can’t put my finger on a time with trotters.”

Obviously rapt to leave Club Menangle on a high note, Aiken hopes to keep the momentum going when he returns to the world class venue this afternoon.

Another trifecta – or even a quinella – is out of the question, however, as Aiken only has one runner at the meeting.

Nonetheless, Aiken is in a strong position of making his way to the winners’ circle as his representative, Uncle Tiger, is among the leading chances in the seventh event on the card.

Sent for a spell following his unplaced effort on June 27, Uncle Tiger has had three solid trials, including an eye-catching third last week.

The son of Downbytheseaside was successful in Penrith on June 18 in what was his second last outing before a break.

“I have had a bit of trouble getting the weight off him as he is such a good doer, but he is trimming up now,” Aiken said. “He’s had three trials and gotten better every week, so I’m pleased with where he is at.”

With Aiken utilizing young reinsman Jai Meikle’s concession claim to drop in class, Uncle Tiger has drawn barrier eight for the 1609-metre sprint.

Faring slightly better in gate seven, Clara Rocks shapes as the main danger for prominent horseman Michael Stanley.

A last start third against similar company, Clara Rocks scored in Penrith three outings earlier.

“His record shows he is never far away and I expect that to be the case again this time,” Aiken said. “That said, drawing out wide makes it tough, and given he is first-up, he will need some luck.

“If he gets the right run though, he will go close.”