Harden product Nick Heywood has produced four wins on a stellar day at Parkes on Sunday.
Heywood’s grandfather ‘Duke’ passed away recently and his funeral was held on Monday April 24 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Harden, just 3 weeks ago.
Duke always watched his grandson ride and was very proud of his achievements, watching on as he commenced his early career with Leeton’s Peter Clancy, before Nick joined the stable of Peter and Paul Snowden in 2016, where he continued it.
Duke spent much of his time at Burrinjuck over the last few years where he had a cabin at Woolgarlo. Time was shared between fishing, talking with mates, having a beer and being glued to the screen of his phone or that of the tv to watch Nick go around, cheering regardless of where Nick finished and even happier if he won.
‘Duke’ would have turned 83 on Sunday if illness had not taken him from his family just a few weeks ago. One might say he got the best heavenly birthday present a grandfather could have asked for.
Heywood has been an accomplished rider for many years now, appearing on the backs of some of NSW country’s best horses in places such as Gundagai and Wagga as well as regular appearances in the city, including heading to Randwick on ‘Another One’ in the Country Championships, where he placed and then won the race the following year.
Heywood rode a winner the day before his grandfather’s funeral guiding home ‘Master Joe’ for Scott Collings at Goulburn in the heavy, before ten more starts were unable to yield a victory between Albury, Kembla Grange and Goulburn, across a short 4 day riding period.
Heywood aboard ‘Hello Jack’ in the final race of the day where he ran out a winner at Parkes. His grandfather would have been super proud. Photos Courtesy of Racing Photography and greatly appreciated, Janian McMillan.
Bring on Sunday and it was Heywood’s time to shine. Duke was no doubt looking down on his grandson, hoping for a great day. The first race saw Nick on the top weight ‘Ida’s Rules’, who led from start to finish.
He didn’t have a runner in the second race but came out in the third on ‘Invincible Dash’. He commenced near the back of the field before running midfield for most of the race. Heywood worked the gelding into it at the turn and he was able to guide it through the pack to win by 0.19 lengths.
Race 4 saw Heywood aboard ‘East Harlem’ and the Spirit of Boom gelding was unable to catch ‘Loving Angel’, however, it was two wins and a second for the day thus far.
Race 5 saw Heywood take the ride on ‘Strategic Charge’, an $8 chance for trainer Daniel Stanley. The 1400 metres suited Heywood and the gelding, who took up a place in third. With 450 metres to go, ‘Strategic Charge’ wound up and went to the front with 100 metres left, winning by 2.51 lengths.
Race 6 saw Heywood manage a 9th placing but he wasn’t far off them going down by just 4.74 lengths over 1300 metres.
Race 7 saw Heywood claim another second placing aboard ‘Kiptanui’ for Matthew Dale, before race 8 came along and he combined with Scott Collings to get the $1.85 favourite ‘Hello Jack’ home in the 1200 metre class 2 plate.
‘Hello Jack’ took the lead 200 metres from the barriers. The 4 year old gelding settled before revving up before the home turn. Heywood extended his lead and got home in the last race for the day by 4.39 lengths streaking the field.
The race caller said, “Four wins today from Nick Heywood and he rode them all brilliantly.” And he did.
It brought Heywood’s tally for the day to four wins and two second placings for an excellent strike rate on the 8 race card.
Nick was always brilliant in his grandfather’s eyes and he’s up there smiling down on him now.
Well done Nick.
