Tayla Duley has first driving success
Mike Love • July 21st, 2025 12:26 PM • 3 min read
Tayla Duley recorded her first driving success yesterday at Addington when Denver took out the Seahorse Supplements Proudly NZ Owned mobile trot over 1980m.
Not only was it Duley's first driving success, but the win was also her first success as an owner, giving the win even more significance.
"It's good, I'm rapt. The first horse I've owned as well. My mates, the owners, my partner and grandparents are all there. So it's pretty special," said Duley in a post race interview with Nigel Armstrong.
Duley did not rush the race favourite early, settling in the back half of the field early. Early speed at the head of the field worked into Denver and Duley's hands, pulling the right rein at the 400m to loom, pounce, and put away their rivals - going on to win by three and a half lengths from runner-up Schoemaker.
"I was pretty confident. He'd been working really good at home. We thought we'd try the mobile because he's trialled good from the mobile before, and he did everything right and we got the chocolates."
Duley is currently employed by winning trainer Matt Purvis at Woodend Beach, while her family's passion for harness racing can be traced back to her granddad who was on course to witness the milestone.
"My grandad has had a bit to do with racing over the years, so he's pretty wrapt now that we can just sit there and talk about horses all the time.
"I've always ridden horses during, then I had a job in a stable come up after high school so I was there for a couple of years.
"I went into greyhounds for a few years but decided to make the comeback at the end of last year."
Denver's win was the seven-year-old Windsong Espoir gelding's second from just ten starts. Duley races the gelding with 3 Codes Hoovering Hooves Syndicate after purchasing him from Michael House.
"I'm grateful to Mickey (Michael House) for selling him. He's such a nice horse to have around. He's had tender feet, so the beach has really helped him."
Other highlights on the card included a driving double for Blair Orange (Birdy and Aldebaran Crystal) and a training double for Ben and Greg Hope (A Dancing Rocka and Justa Rippa), while Motukarara trainer Darryn Simpson produced Harry Belafonte for a fresh-up victory after 154 days between races, with no trials or workouts.
