FOR Bendigo reinsman Haydon Gray, it was not a matter of if, but when the Len Maher-trained Declan Henry would break through for his second career win.
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His suspicion was confirmed at Bendigo on Wednesday night when the 10-year-old gelding proved too strong for his five rivals in a keenly-contested NR 50 to 61 trot on his home track.
It was a satisfying win for Gray, who - together with co-trainer Maddie Ray - have based themselves on Maher's Junortoun property, at the back of Lord's Raceway.
The young reinsman was sidelined when Declan Henry won his maiden at Maryborough last August, leaving Chris Svanosio to pick up the winning drive.
He was glad to be back in the sulky for this one, as the lightly-raced gelding defied his $10.10 starting price to salute in career start number 28.
Gray had sensed as win was in the offing after the gelding's good second behind the Alison Alford-trained Shadow Justice at Bendigo on December 4.
Shadow Justice had since gone on to win at Melton on New Year's Eve and added a second at Kilmore only this week.
"He has been working well, so we thought he could win. Len has a done a good job with him," Gray said.
"I thought he was the best horse in the race. He's been knocking on the door of a win.
"His run when he finished second behind Shadow Justice was a real good run.
"He was probably a bit stiff and I probably didn't drive him all that well either. I probably should have gone a bit earlier, but I guess it's easier to say that after a race. You live and you learn."
Any win with Declan Henry is considered special by his trainer Maher.
The horse was originally owned by Len's late son Graeme, a former Bendigo Harness Racing Club track manager and trainer-driver, who sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in 2017.
Declan Henry was leased a year earlier to Rebecca Morrissey, but did not win a race, despite coming close on a few occasions.
He eventually made his way back to Maher and, after an absence from the racetrack of 18 months, made his debut for his new trainer at Bendigo in May last year.
His breakthrough win arrived four starts later at Maryborough, with his six starts in between victories producing a pair of seconds, two fourths, and two sixths.
With the gelding in the twilight of his career, Gray hoped there would be at least one more win in the tank for Declan Henry.
The win continued a good month for the Gray-Ray team, highlighted by the dual wins of their trotter Rigondeaux, both at Kilmore.
"He's racing again on Tuesday at Bendigo and should go really well," an excited Gray said.
"Hopefully he keeps getting better and better, which I think he will with more racing."
A good night for Bendigo region trainers included wins for Heather Morrissey with her in-form trotter Get Smart Max and Kylie Linsell with Nikita Adele, driven by Michelle Phillips.
The momentum continued at Charlton on Thursday with Gary Donaldson landing the opening race with Rocks Arnt Pets, part-owned by the Pacers Bendigo 1 and 2 syndicates.
That was followed by a second-straight victory for the combination of Marong trainer Ken Taylor and Lockwood South freelance driver Neil McCallum with Raani, while Bendigo reinsman Jayden Brewin claimed a win for Barham trainer John Morris aboard Piratesof Zanzibar.
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