Southland Racing Club honours the Dennis brothers
"They had hung up their saddle and it was an ideal opportunity to recognise them."
Jamie Searle is a long-time racing writer. For more of his work check out the Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
Thursday was a day to remember for the Dennis brothers - Tony, Ray, Martin and Joe.
The Ascot Park race meeting that day was named after them to recognise their outstanding achievements in New Zealand racing, spanning more than 60 years as owners, trainers and breeders.
Adding to the occasion was Tony's son, Robert, training three winners on the programme. Also racing on Thursday was The Ocean Heart, whose fifth pointed to a win in coming weeks from Robert's Ascot Park stable.
The Ocean Heart is owned by the Dennis brothers and was trained by them until they retired from the role in late November.
With the brothers stepping down from training, the Southland Racing Club decided it was timely to honour them for their achievements in racing.
The club named Thursday's race meeting The Dennis Brothers' Dynasty Day and invited all members of the Dennis family to the raceday.
Six of the eight races were named after the brothers' horses.
President Sean Bellew said the SRC was pleased to honour the brothers - all of Woodlands.
"They had hung up their saddle and it was an ideal opportunity to recognise them."
Four generations of the Dennis family were oncourse.
Also notable from Thursday's raceday was Maurice Forde's win with Bleakhouse Burtie.
The Riverton trainer took Bleakhouse Burtie and two others from his stable to the West Coast's three-meeting circuit earlier this month. However, Bleakhouse Burtie was scratched at the barrier at Greymouth on the first day.
He ended up not racing on the trip.
Bleakhouse Burtie was "very fractious" in the barrier at Greymouth, according to the stewards' report. Forde was told the gelding had to trial satisfactorily before racing again.
Forde was gutted at taking Bleakhouse Burtie to the West Coast.and bringing him home unraced.
Bleakhouse Burtie got a clearance at the Riverton jumpouts (January 13) to resume racing. The gelding wore a blindfold in the barrier in the jumpout. It was removed when the barrier opened and he jumped out with his opposition.
He wore a blindfold in the barrier at Ascot Park on Thursday.
"He stood [in the barrier] good as gold," Forde said.
Bleakhouse Burtie jumped out of the barrier and settled beyond midfield. He improved wide to lead at the 400m and held on to win by nearly two lengths.