Nyhan’s colours carried to victory
By Jonny Turner
The Fox (Sundon-Total Perception-Gee Whiz II) carried some of Canterbury harness racing’s most famed colours to victory when he strode out to win at Ashburton earlier this month
The trotter produced a professional display for driver Peter Davis who wore the silks the late Denis Nyhan carried in feature race wins across the country including in the New Zealand Cup.
Pete Davis and Margo Nyhan (right) after receiving the 2019 People Choice award at the HRNZ awards
The Fox is raced by Denis Nyhan’s estate along with his wife Denise and he is trained by the late horseman’s daughter Margo Nyhan.
“Quite a few people remarked that it was good to see the old colours out there again,” Davis said.
“It was good for Denise and hopefully he can pick up another one.”
Denis Nyhan trained The Fox and produced him to win in the 2016 season, ahead of his passing in September of last year.
Margo Nyhan has produced an impressive training performance to get The Fox back in to winning form in just his third start back from a massive break away from racing of all almost four years.
The Fox was put aside for that good chunk of time through circumstances rather than injury.
“Denis had been working him off and on prior to him getting sick,” Davis said.
“But there was no real reason for it, he didn’t have an injury or anything.”
“When Denis got crook we picked him up and started working him.”
“He was actually ready to go around Christmas time and then he got quite a bad cold.”
With The Fox back in winning form and building his fitness following his big break, he looks like he will be competitive in Canterbury through the winter.
“He stays in that grade with him being a rating 39, he’s gone to a 46.”
“He should find a few similar races to what he was in.”
The Fox is from Denis and Denise Nyhan’s wonderfully consistent racemare Total Perception (Gee Whiz II).
She won seven times and placed on 24 occasions during a 62 start career.
Total Perception left a quality mare who was arguably even more consistent than her.
With Intent (Sundon), a full sister to The Fox, won 13 times and ran 26 seconds and 11 thirds during her 97 starts from Denis Nyhan’s stable.
Another full sibling to the pair, Total Exposure (Sundon) won one race.
The Fox is Total Perception’s last foal.
