SA TROTS - Ripe old age of 14 and still winning

AT AN age where most horses – and by conversion, humans – are enjoying retirement, evergreen veteran Bien Hoa continues to thrive.

In the 36th week of the year, Bien Hoa had his 39th start, which resulted in him scoring at Globe Derby last night.

At the ripe age of 14, Bien Hoa registered his fifth win of the season.

The Shane Loone-trained son of Tinted Cloud has also notched 17 placings!

“He’s an old marvel,” Loone said. “He loves being in work and the competition.

“If I give him too many days off he starts carrying on.

“That said, with the frequency in which he races, he doesn’t do a lot of hard work during the week. I just keep him active and racing does the rest.”

With premier reinswoman Dani Hill in the cart, Bien Hoa was eased to the tail of the field from barrier five as Tick Tock Go led from the pole.

Gaining a three-wide trail at the bell, the gelding completed a half-neck win from Sunfine, with Malachite Rock four metres away third.

Rating 2:00.5 over 1800 metres, Bien Hoa provided Loone with the opening leg of a double, with Great Fantasy proving too good later in the evening.

Driven by Samantha Pascoe, Great Fantasy scored by 10 metres from Kyvalley Surfergirl, with Our Spitfire a half-head away third.

Taking his tally to four wins and three placings from 15 starts for Loone, the trotter rated 2:06 for the 2230-metre stand.

HRSA Media

Photo Walter Bulyga