Harley’n’Rose wins on debut at Gawler Our Owner of the Month award winner for January is Dennis Gardniner, part owner of Harley’n’Rose.  Dennis talked to SAROA about his introduction to racing and his horse ownership experience culminating in Harley’n’Rose. Dennis recalls attending the races with his father when he was a youngster and maintaining an interest in racing which led finally to him becoming involved in ownership starting with Mint to Be with Chris Bieg. Shortly after Dennis took shares in several horses with Mark Minervini notably Martinique and even the more successful Mica Lil The Mica Lil story is a great one as she was a $20,000 purchase from WA where she has won four times on country tracks. Mark was attracted to her because she was by Testa Rossa, a sire whose progeny Mark has previously had great success with. She won her first start in Adelaide and two starts later ran third in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes. She was sold as a broodmare for $220,000 thus providing a great result for Dennis and the other connections. When Mark moved to Newcastle, Dennis preferred to have horse racing in South Australia and bought a share in Knightstown with Gordon Richards. Knightstown was quite successful and while visiting him spelling at Summerset Park, Dennis spotted his half-brother, a foal by Holler, also bred by Rob and Maureen McBryde. That foal turned out to be Harley’n’Rose and he ended up being purchased as a yearling by the Gordon Richards/Damien Moyle stable and Dennis was more than happy to grab a share in him. Harley’n’Rose saluted at his first start and earned a Racing Rewards bonus for connections and looks to have plenty of ability. As noted above he is by Holler out of the Hawk Wind mare Zaraya Rose. The dam has also produced Knightstown, as mentioned above, (by Valentia) winner of over $200,000, and Saccharo (by Magnus) winner of 7 races and over $330,000, amongst others. The grand dam is the Eagling mare Summer Magic whose progeny include Surmato (by Belloto), Brewski (by Bel Esprit) and Hong Kong winner Hong Kong Gem (by King of Kings) Congratulations and best wishes to Dennis as SAROA owner of the month.