RIP ‘Motukarara Murray’
Sadly, time spent in race day stables in Canterbury and the upper South Island are not going to be the same without the regular presence of one of the game’s favourites, Murray Edmonds, who was taken way far too soon earlier this week.
Always up for a cheery chat or, if requested, a piece of assistance, the genial trainer has been a stalwart of harness racing since the early 80’s, both as a driver and trainer. A perusal of his training record sees that he trained 317 winners, two thirds of them trotters which, as we all know, require a lot of skill and, most of all, patience. My experience of the guy was an unassuming character with a passion for the industry, who served his time on the Canterbury Trainers & Drivers, but who just took things in his stride, and got on with his craft in his little corner of Canterbury.
He would admit he was not a star as far as results go, but probably belonging to a large group of hard-working people who have contributed a huge amount to harness racing in this Country. You only have to look further into his statistics to realise his value over the years, having lined up a total of 6448 horses in races during his career!
The game will be the worse for his early passing, and the Trainers & Drivers Assn. sends its’ condolences to the family, adding to a long list of his admirers.
Pete Cook