Leading from the front issuu

PAT’S SECRET LOVE
Always relishing his time spent at Waimai, the family
farm near Raglan; a large part of the enjoyment there
came from riding horses whenever he could. He was a
keen polo player too. So of course Pat was thrilled when
farm manager and good friend Len Scott presented him
with a beautiful black horse of his own. “Manyana” was a
former jumper/steeplechaser who had only raced once
and Pat was up for the challenge of getting him back to
Napier, putting him on a training schedule and bringing
the horse back to the track.
He says his new charge was a “beautiful, spirited creature,”
and remembers one day treating Manyana for an
infection in his eye. For all his efforts he was, “bitten on
the arse.”
Around 21 at the time, Pat had visions of becoming a
wealthy, successful horse trainer and it took him about
six months to get his equine buddy into shape. But Manyana’s
existence had to be a well-kept secret. Anything
to do with gambling was a big no-no in the Brethren
faith so Pat’s way round that was not to let on to his parents,
ever, about what he was up to. And making sure no
one else did either.
Manyana’s new home was a fenced paddock at
Onekawa. Pat would sneak out of the house between 5
and 6am, drive the few miles south, saddle up his mount
and ride him out across the flat and over the bridge to
Westshore, soaking up the freedom and bracing sea air.
Along the beach Pat often met up with his mate Neil Gillies
who was training a horse as well.
Before long, a jockey was lined up to run Manyana in
his first race at Napier Park. The land here was called
“old land” because it existed before the 1931 earthquake
but there was still a lot of rubble and liquefaction around.
Sadly, just before the race started, Manyana put his foot in
the wrong place and ripped his leg on submerged barbed
wire. The ‘management’ team quickly bandaged his leg,
keen for the show to go on, which it did, but not surprisingly
Manyana broke down midway through the event.
So, Manyana’s racing days were well and truly over
and Pat gifted him to a farmer’s daughter who was keen
for a horse that was suited to an easy life. And with his
dream of becoming a talented horse trainer shelved
for the moment (Neil Gillies was more successful), Pat
started looking around for further fun and challenge.
Miraculously, he did keep Manyana’s existence a secret
from his parents. Pat would make sure he got the
car home after training, well before Jessie and Robert
woke up. This was obviously more than enough time for
an energetic young man to enjoy an adventure or two
before breakfast.
Above: Manyana — Pat’s prized horse and his two year-long secret passion.
Pat's Early Days 17