It’s a partnership that has dominated Sydney radio for more than a decade and now Ray Hadley and John Singleton have shared in the ownership of a metropolitan winner on the racecourse.
Well Hardley Ever gave the close mates another bond as he won his third race from 10 starts in Wednesday’s Coolmore Hcp (1200m) at Warwick Farm.
Hadley and Singleton have had a long association through radio station 2GB.
Hadley has hosted the popular Morning program since 2001 on 2GB, a station in which Singleton had a majority ownership until last year.
While neither were on course at Warwick Farm, trainer Clarry Conners admitted one of the pair wasn’t as easy to train for as the other.
“Half of the owners are good. The other one’s a bit of a nuisance,” Conners said.
But Conners refused to divulge who the tricky owner was – perhaps a smart move given the hot tempers for which both men are renowned.
“I’m not going to tell you,” Conners said.
Well Hardley Ever drifted from $3.80 to $5.50 before the race, but was too strong for Onemorezeta ($12) and Arise Augustus ($14).
Conners said the horse was likely to tackle a Saturday-class race at his next start.
“He’s a nice horse and we’ll just go through our classes,” Conners said.
Conners said Well Hardley Ever’s slight build had forced him to be patient.
The gelding raced midfield before jockey James McDonald took off at the turn and swept around the field to record a winning double.
McDonald said Well Hardley Ever was destined for stronger races.
“Even if he had a bit of bad luck he would have overcome these,” McDonald said.
“He’s got a bit of class on them.”
And he didn’t forget to tip his hat to Singleton.
“I hope John’s having a nice beer at his house,” McDonald.
In other races at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell trained a city double with Bolord winning over 1600m and Rhodin Drive winning the staying contest over 2200m.
In the Hyland Race Colours Plate, unplaced favourite Make A Ripple was handed a three-month ban after bleeding from both nostrils.
