From The Track - Winter 2017 by Ian Davies

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WINTER 2017

Your Local Racing Magazin e!

HATS OFF TO RICHIE,

an inspiration to

GARY CRISPE MAL SAYS: ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A MIRACLE

FROM THE TRACK

ORE often than not it’s a futile exercise comparing horses of different eras. But when a legendary figure such as MAL JOHNSTON puts Winx on the same pedestal as Kingston Town, then who could argue?

Johnston should know. After all, he rode the brilliant “black horse” in 25 of his 30 wins and says he was “100 yards in front of any other horse I rode”.

GARY CRISPE – Engineered Career In Racing

MAL JOHNSTON – It’s A “Miracle”

BEN SMITH – Knew Time Had Come

In a frank interview with FROM THE TRACK, he rated both Kingston Town and Winx as freaks, and declared the mighty mare will later this year equal “The King’s” achievement of three Cox Plates.

LOUISE DAY – Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Now 60, Johnston has a new spring in his step, having purchased eight yearlings this year to reinvigorate his training career. We wish him well.

SCONE – Another Outstanding Carnival

It is always a pleasure chatting with Mal whenever we catch up – and so too GARY CRISPE.

NEWCASTLE – Change To Provincial Series Format

GRAFTON – Club “Services” Ramornie Handicap

TAREE - Good Carnival Sponsors Back On Board

Crispe’s career has been remarkable to say the least. Brisbane born, he had degrees in civil engineering and economics and was offered a scholarship at the famed Harvard University in Boston.

JIM BELL – Lifelong Harness Racing Contributor

But it came at the same time as an opportunity to follow his passion and make racing his profession. Racing won – and he hasn’t looked back.

DARBY RACING – Long Road To Group 1 Glory

BEN SMITH is a young Newcastle trainer making an excellent fist of his career; his successes this season with talented mare In Her Time putting his name up in lights.

HEATH COURTNEY – Now “On The Beat” At Scone

FORSTER TUNCURRY – New Cup Date In September

Those victories notwithstanding, his goal is to become an established Group 1 trainer and says he doesn’t want to be “a flash in the pan”.

ON THE PACE - Veteran “Mile” Ahead Again

55 Seconds with MITCH MANNERS

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From the Track

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The CEO of acclaimed website Racing And Sports, he is also the Australian head of the internationally renowned Timeform Ratings Agency.

Irish eyes are smiling! FROM THE TRACK was delighted to talk with LOUISE DAY, who tells the story of how she travelled halfway around the world to chase her dream of being a jockey, and then rode her first winner at Tuncurry in March (pictured). Speaking of Louise, her master KRIS LEES has notched recent Group 1 victories with Le Romain, Sense Of Occasion and Clearly Innocent, taking his tally to 14 in a recordbreaking season. We congratulate Kris and also his respective owners, including the mainly Newcastle-based owners who race Doomben Cup winner Sense Of Occasion. SCONE’S annual two-day Cup carnival last month has deservedly earned plaudits, especially the excellent manner in which the track was presented and how it raced, from all sections of the industry. We also profile the club’s new chief executive HEATH COURTNEY, who as a teenager had thoughts of becoming a policeman and is now “on the beat” at Scone, controlling a successful country club. SCOTT DARBY recalls his decision to begin a new syndication business (DARBY RACING) nearly 10 years ago; the tough formative years culminating with She Will Reign’s success in this year’s Golden Slipper Stakes, the world’s richest two-year-old race. JIM BELL has made a lifelong contribution to his beloved harness racing industry, and fittingly we acknowledge his more than half a century involvement. NEWCASTLE will stage the fifth and final heat of a new Saturday format of next year’s Provincial Championships, and we preview both the approaching GRAFTON (July) and TAREE (August) carnivals. With deep regret, we sadly record the passing in April of MERV MAYNARD, aged 85. A quietly-spoken gentle man, he rode more than 1500 winners – including the 1960 Newcastle Cup (North Row) on his home turf at Broadmeadow - in an international career spanning five decades and was greatly honored to have been inducted into the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall Of Fame. FROM THE TRACK extends its deepest sympathies to Merv’s widow Judy and family. - EDITOR

FROM THE TRACK TO THE HIGH SEAS! FROM THE TRACK readers Vicki and Peter McKenzie, from Sydney, were cruising recently on the high seas on none other than the Queen Mary when they visited the ship’s huge library. They discovered a copy of our first edition of 2017 on display and Vicki took this picture as proof. Just goes to show the “depths” we go to in order to make FROM THE TRACK available to readers far and wide!

Front cover: Gary Crispe and the late Richie Benaud at Royal Ascot. Photo courtesy Martin King. Disclaimer: All Rights Reserved This publication may not, in part or whole, be copied, photographed, scanned or reproduced in any format, electronic or otherwise for reproduction without written authority of From the Track. While we exercise due care and diligence to ensure the contents are accurate we do not take responsibility for any inaccuracies. Contents of the advertisements are the responsibility of the advertisers. The Publishers liability for damages resulting from any omissions, error or misprint is limited to the exact amount actually received in payment for the advertisement.

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FROM THE TRACK

GARY

CRISPE

ENGINEERED A PERMANENT

CAREER IN RACING

Gary with legendary trainer Dermot Weld at The Curragh in Ireland

Photos courtesy PAT HEALY

ARY CRISPE readily admits his business career reached the crossroads in 1981. And, whilst the majority would not have concurred with the decision he made to change paths, he hasn’t regretted it for a minute.

Now the chief executive and managing director of acclaimed FREE website Racing and Sports as well as being the Australian head of the internationally renowned Timeform Ratings Agency (the official bible for rating the performances of the world’s thoroughbreds), Crispe could easily have taken a vastly different course. With degrees in Civil Engineering and Economics, he was offered a scholarship at the famous Harvard University in Boston to study for a Masters degree. Crispe didn’t have to be told it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. But there was another factor swirling in his head. The racing “bug” had well and truly bitten him and he turned down the offer. He chose to follow his passion and make racing his profession.

“Also, my uncle Jack Nicholls was a successful trainer.”

“It was a good time and a very innovative time as well.

That wasn’t the end of it! Crispe’s father was involved in racehorse syndication and shared in the ownership of 1963 Brisbane Cup winner Campo, who beat Piper’s Son and River Seine at Eagle Farm.

“Many of the things we introduced to Australian punters were ground-breaking.

“It was the Australian Racehorse Club and I think it was the first type of syndication ever done in Australia,” Crispe said. With such a background, it is little wonder Australia’s

“They still are; the only difference is that they are now presented in a different way.” Crispe explained that SuperForm put together a class system, giving each horse a classification and identifying exactly where they sat in the overall scheme of handicapping. Crispe also was heavily involved with another ground-breaking publication, the Wizard Formguide.

..I felt I could drive my hobby into a new career, and I’ve never looked back.

“I had moved from Brisbane to Canberra two years earlier and in the same week I was offered the scholarship in America, an opportunity arose to join Don Scott (the late legendary form analyst and punter) and Warren Block as racing manager and chief handicapper of SuperForm,” Crispe explained in an interview with FROM THE TRACK. “My wife and I had three children under six years at that time, and it was a tough decision which certainly shocked a lot of people. “But I felt I could drive my hobby into a new career, and I’ve never looked back.” Whilst Brisbane-born Crispe grew up in a family steeped in racing, he never initially considered it would become a full-time career. “I had a real love of engineering; it was all I wanted to do,” he said. “But racing was never far away. “On Mum’s side we had the Pratt family (very well known in Northern Rivers racing circles) and my great grandfather was a jockey in Grafton.

Timeform guru later was to concentrate solely on racing. But first things first. Fulfilling his love of engineering, he worked for Brisbane City Council as a senior planning and civil engineer in road and bridge design. Crispe subsequently joined the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), working at the old Eagle Farm airport as the chief technical officer. A promotion to Canberra in 1979 as second-incharge at a time when new airports were on the radar in both Brisbane and Sydney influenced a rethink. “I felt I needed a Masters degree to keep progressing in my career, and applied to Harvard,” he said. “Ironically in the same week word came through offering me the scholarship in the States, I was also offered the position at SuperForm.

“It should have been more successful than it was,” he said. “It was ahead of its time and, unfortunately, we had distribution problems. It deserved a better fate.”

Soon after the turn of the new century, Crispe also worked on Computercard, with the popular “Mr Magic” assessments for each metropolitan race being published in many city newspapers. Crispe recalls that the setting up – in association with IT specialist Robert Vilkaitis – of their Racing and Sports website in 1989 reflected a change of mood from print to online. “It was slowly starting to change then, and we saw the need to introduce a website to both service the needs of the racing industry and also to cater for sports fans,” he said. “We were a good fit and still are. Robert is a brilliant guy on IT technology and progress, and I had the racing knowledge.” Crispe says that it was during one of his English trips that he knew Racing and Sports was on the right track. “I was travelling on the London tube, and noted that tablets and smart phones were commonplace

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“Black Caviar’s win was one of the most courageous performances I have seen on a racetrack. With the world watching and clearly lengths below her best, somehow she found a way to win.” Coincidentally, Frankel and Black Caviar each raced only three more times after those Ascot memories. Crispe says Frankel is the best horse he has seen race. “He was an amazing horse and retired with a rating of 147; the highest ever given by Timeform.” Gary interviewing former champion jockey Darren Beadman in Hong Kong.

rather than newspapers. It is the way of the world; the day will come when there will be a cross over.” In the ensuing few decades, Racing and Sports has become an unqualified success. It is a global publisher of online horse racing form and information, and a leader in interactive racing technology. Whilst the headquarters are in Canberra, R & S also has an office in Singapore, supporting its Asian services. Racing and Sports has forged global relationships with race clubs, racing authorities and wagering companies in Australia, Asia, the US and UK and Japan. The website content is displayed in both English and Mandarin Chinese (the sole thoroughbred website to do so). Understandably, Crispe is immensely proud of R & S. “It’s been a hard slog, but it now has an international brand,” he said. “People recognise it.” Crispe was appointed Australian Head of Timeform in 1999, and thoroughly enjoys the responsibility which it carries.

Crispe also developed a great relationship with Frankel’s trainer, the late Sir Henry Cecil. “I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to have dinner with him one evening,” he said. “He was a special man. When we caught up the next time at Royal Ascot, he bypassed other journalists and came up and said to me: ‘How lovely it is to see you again. Are you well?’” Crispe says the Royal Ascot meeting is unique as it continues to uphold the traditions of British horseracing. “The carnival is three centuries old and keeps getting better; Australia hadn’t even been considered when racing first began there.” Crispe’s reputation as a thinker and form analyst saw him approached by RacingNSW in 2009 to establish a new benchmark system of handicapping. “I feel it has been a success,” he said. “Every other state in Australia followed us; RacingNSW leading the way again.” Purists wouldn’t argue with Crispe’s assessment of racing as a 24 hours/7 days a week occupation.

“It is great to be part of such a professional organisation,” he said.

“You need to switch off, but it’s nearly impossible to do that. You are always thinking, always looking for new ideas.

Crispe combines his annual trips to Royal Ascot’s famous five-day carnival in June (this is his 12th) with a visit to Timeform’s office at Halifax in the Midlands.

“I might have slowed down a bit, but I’ve got no thoughts at all of retirement because I really enjoy it.

“It is always an interesting and informative time to catch up with the Timeform people, and ensure that we continue to take the right approach to rating horses globally,” he said.

“You never work a day in your life when you love what you do.”

“In assessing a horse’s Timeform rating, many factors are considered, especially the history of each particular race as well as the ratings profiles of all runners going into the race.” It was also during his annual Royal Ascot trips that he sometimes caught up with his cousin, the late cricket great Richie Benaud. “My grandmother Florence Braid (nee Pratt) and Irene Benaud (nee Saville) were first cousins and lived around Casino, both born in 1904,” Crispe explained. “My grandmother’s mother Henrietta Saville and George Saville (Irene’s father) were brother and sister. “Lou Benaud, the father of Richie and his brother John (also a fine cricketer and former Sydney newspaper sporting editor), was a school teacher in North Casino and moved to Sydney after marrying Irene. “Because Richie was so busy with cricket and travels, it was hard to meet face to face. But he did send me letters, telling me how he followed my career in racing and when the internet became popular, also followed my career with Timeform and used the Racing and Sports website extensively for that purpose. “When I did meet up with him, all he wanted to do was talk racing and especially the Timeform ratings for Australian horses. All I wanted to do was talk cricket. “Richie was one of a kind; a lovely man and extremely knowledgeable about racing as well as cricket. He was an inspiration to me.” Crispe didn’t have to think twice when asked to name a moment in racing which stood out. “Definitely it was at Royal Ascot in 2012. “We saw two champions, Frankel and Black Caviar (both undefeated in their careers), win at opposite ends of the meet. “Frankel won the Queen Anne Stakes on the first day by 11 lengths, and Black Caviar, though not at her top, won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day. The runner-up Moonlight Cloud subsequently won five Group 1s before also being retired.

MALCOLM JOHNSTON IT’S A MIRACLE

WINX ON SAME PEDESTAL AS “THE KING” ALCOLM Johnston never thought he would see another horse as good as his favourite, Kingston Town. But he has paid Australian racing’s current champion Winx the ultimate accolade, and is in no doubt she can equal “The King’s” remarkable achievement (1980, 81 & 82) by winning her third Cox Plate in succession in October. Johnston was in the saddle for 25 of Kingston Town’s 30 wins, and says he was “100 yards in front of any other horse I rode”. “He was a freak, and so is Winx,” Johnston told FROM THE TRACK in a frank interview. “We’ve been so lucky in our racing lifetimes watching some great horses. We’ll never see another horse win three Melbourne Cups in a row as Makybe Diva did, and probably also never see another horse win 25 in a row as Black Caviar did. “But I honestly didn’t think I would ever see another as good as the black horse (Kingston Town), but I put Winx on that same pedestal. “She is a superstar. She is arrogant and treats her rivals with contempt. She will win a third Cox Plate later in the year by as far as you can kick a football.”

race and he still bolted in. He was unstoppable then as a three-year-old.” Johnston says Kingston Town should be used as a yardstick when rating a champion. “The word is used far too loosely,” he declared. Ron Quinton and Peter Cook were “The King’s” partners in his next two Cox Plate victories because Johnston was sidelined; serving two of the 56 suspensions he incurred during his 22-year riding journey.

“When I was 14, I represented the Country under 4st 7lbs team as half-back in a match against City at Penrith Park. “In those days, they had weight divisions. The eldest kid I played against was nine, and I belted them. “When the weight divisions were scrapped, my rugby league career went out the window.” Enter Johnston’s uncle, Les Coles, the rider of Kiwi stayer Even Stevens, who won the 1962 CaulfieldMelbourne Cups double, and his father Reg.

She is a superstar. She is arrogant and treats her rivals with contempt. She will win a third Cox Plate later in the year by as far as you can kick a football.

Kingston Town won 14 Group 1s (including those three Cox Plates) and says the first in 1980 and the 3200m Sydney Cup earlier that year are the ones he remembers most fondly. “Kingston Town was never really comfortable at Caulfield, but he loved the camber at Moonee Valley,” he explained. “He was beaten at 2-1 on when second in the Caulfield Stakes, and then finished third with 60kg in the Caulfield Cup. “The Melbourne press quickly labelled him a Sydney champion because he couldn’t win in Melbourne, and it got my back up. I was determined to show them in the Cox Plate. “Kingston Town was cruising at the 600m and the great racecaller Bill Collins said: ‘We are going to see the real one today’. “There were no salutes in those days, but I couldn’t help myself and threw my arms up in the air at the finish. The stewards fined me $500, but it was worth it to make them eat humble pie. “His Sydney Cup win was outstanding. He drew off the track and I made three runs on him in the

“As well as the two Cox Plates, I missed out on a few other big race wins,” he said. “I was a fearless competitor,” he said. “But if I had my career over again, I wouldn’t do anything different. I would still ride with the same competitive streak.” Johnston, 60, was born in Sydney in 1956, but his family moved to Forbes in central western NSW when he was two and he grew up in the country. His remarkable career netted him more than 2000 winners – including 49 Group 1 victories – and he rode in 11 countries. “I was born with a gift; horses could run for me,” he said. Yet Johnston never intended to be a jockey. Instead, his passion was rugby league. Apart from playing the game as a youngster, he also became a Manly-Warringah (Sea Eagles) tragic. Johnston’s son Blake (now running a coffee shop at Windsor) also played rugby league, and he took great pleasure in watching him represent an Australian University team against England at Carnegie Oval, Headingley. “I loved footy, and still do. I watch every NRL match, yelling and screaming at the tele, and get to see four or five of Manly’s games live each year.

“Reg arranged an introduction to Theo Green in Sydney,” Johnston explained. “I didn’t want to do it; I had never really been on a horse. But because of my stature (I was about 5st wringing wet) Reg felt I should have a crack at being an apprentice jockey. “Because I had a job to go to, I was allowed to leave school at 14 years and 10 months and went to Sydney.” Johnston rode his first winner on Ritual (for then Rosehill trainer Terry Ramsey) at Newcastle in 1973.

Green, who passed away 18 years ago, was rightfully acknowledged as the master tutor of apprentices. His “products” included Gordon Spinks, John Duggan, Ron Quinton, Darren Beadman, Maurice Logue, Jamie Innes, David Green and, of course, Johnston. “Theo was the best man God ever put breath into,” Johnston said in a fitting tribute to his “boss”. “He was also a very good horse trainer. When David Green was killed in a race fall at Rosehill (he had won the previous race on a horse named Time To Fly), it knocked him about terribly. He was absolutely devastated.” Johnston also had special praise for his good mate, Ron Quinton. “Ron might not have been the prettiest rider, but he was a wonderful horseman. You don’t fluke winning eight Sydney premierships, and he did it without being T J Smith’s No 1 jockey.” Johnston wasn’t too bad himself. He won three Sydney apprentice premierships and three senior premierships. And he was responsible for the rules being changed. When he won both the 1975 apprentices and senior title, he rode 107.5 winners, breaking the late Jack Thompson’s previous benchmark. That

FROM THE TRACK

will stand forever as a record for the most number of wins by an apprentice in Sydney in a season.

when I’m speaking, preferring to talk about other things, especially rugby league.”

runner-up), but admits he has been “relatively quiet” for the last 10 years.

“They changed the rules after that,” Johnston said. “Apprentices could no longer claim 1.5kg until they came out of their time. Now they lose the claim after 80 city winners, so my record will never be broken.”

There was irony in Johnston’s first Group 1 success on Desirable in the 1977 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington when fearless bookmaker Mark Read gambled against her and lost $100,000 for the first time in a race.

Not that he has been idle. He devoted a lot of his time working for RacingNSW tutoring apprentices, and now has a position with Sky Racing as a producer.

So where did Johnston’s nickname of “Miracle” come from? “I tell everyone when I speak at functions that I gave it to myself,” he jokes.

Five years later – at a midweek meeting at Canterbury on January 9, 1982 – Johnston also was the jockey when the Read-owned Getting Closer brought off one of the biggest plunges in Australian racing history (as much as 200-1 was bet before starting at 5-2).

“In truth, it was the popular late Sydney racing writer Tommy Brassel who gave it to me. He wrote something one day about one of my rides being a miracle. “I cut the headline out of the paper and pinned it up on the board in the jockeys’ room. The name has stuck with me ever since.” Not surprisingly, given his wonderful demeanour and attitude to life, Johnston has built a huge reputation as a story teller, speaking at “25 to 30 functions” annually throughout Australia and overseas. And he usually gets in first to talk about that “famous” narrow defeat on Kingston Town by Mick Dittman on Gurner’s Lane (who earlier that spring had also won the Newcastle and Caulfield Cups) in the 1982 Melbourne Cup. “Punters don’t forget even though it’s 35 years ago, and there’s always a smartie in the crowd,” he said. “I wish people would get over it. I gave it my best shot. Win by a neck and you’re a genius; get beat by a neck and you’re a mug. “Anyway, I try not to concentrate so much on racing

“I had no inkling about the plunge,” Johnston swears. “Henry Davis (Getting Closer’s trainer) legged me up and said: ‘Put him up on the speed; I think he’s a nice horse.’ “The old infield tote board had a 1H (100-1) beside his number when we went out onto the track. I was thinking this bloke’s a lunatic, but of course he wasn’t. Getting Closer was bolting at the 600m and was never going to lose.” Johnston called a halt to his riding career in 1995. “I could have ridden for a few more years, but I didn’t want to do it any more; I didn’t want to finish at the bottom.” But he couldn’t get racing out of his system, and took out a training licence two years later, and has trained from his Hawkesbury base ever since. He had early success with the likes of Stella Maree (winner of three Group races), Shags (the last local horse to win the Hawkesbury Guineas until Shazee Lee this year) and Picholine (2000 Flight Stakes

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A unique venue and a relaxed atmosphere

“I work at a couple of race meetings a week, working out a schedule beforehand and then arranging interviews with jockeys and trainers for our presenters and really enjoy it,” he said. It might be winter, but now there is a decided spring in Johnston’s step. And there are two particular reasons. Firstly, he has just taken delivery of a brand new Mustang sports car (in the maroon and white Manly colors of course), which he ordered from the USA 12 months ago. Johnston currently has only three horses in work (“I sacked two recently), but is ready to bolster his stable, having purchased eight yearlings at sales earlier this year. And his great supporter Ron Burns, is backing him all the way. “Ron was my first client when I started training,” he said. “He raced Stella Maree (named after his wife) and when I told him I was going to get right back into it, he said he would be part of every horse I bought. “I’m so excited and really looking forward to the new season with these young horses. I guess I’ve put my head on the chopping block.” Doing that isn’t anything new to Malcolm Johnston. Then again, he isn’t nicknamed Miracle for nothing!

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BEN

SMITH

“I DON’T WANT TO BE A FLASH IN THE PAN”

EN SMITH knew the time had come. Working as a night manager in a Sydney bar one evening, he began thinking about his future and came to the conclusion his nomadic days were over.

“I was in my early 20s and was a bit of a gypsy,” the now Scone-born 35-year-old Smith told FROM THE TRACK.

“I guess there was something burning deep inside of me that persuaded me to get involved and learn all about the training side of the industry.

“I had spent a few years travelling around doing seasonal bar work. I went to Thredbo in the snow season, and the Whitsunday Islands in the summer.

“Dad tried to steer me in other directions, but didn’t stop me. He helped me get my first job in racing.”

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. To be honest, I didn’t have any idea. “I was a bit lost, but the one thing I knew was that I didn’t want to pull beers for the rest of my life.” Smith was managing Bar Broadway at nights when he sat down this particular evening and started to seriously think about his future direction. After giving the matter a lot of thought for a couple of weeks, he made up his mind he wanted to become involved in racing as a trainer. Ironically, though Smith’s f a t h e r I a n (e v e r y o n e knows him as ‘Ginger’) is a popular figure on New South Wales racetracks – especially in Sydney and the provincial areas – he had not previously conte mplated such a career move.

A young Smith’s first foray into the industry could not have been with a better tutor. He joined the Randwick stable of the late great J.B. (Bart) Cummings.

“Greg took me under his wing, and I spent three to four years with him. “I worked my way up until Greg gave me a nudge that it was time to move forward, and I got a job as a foreman with Greg Eurell (who trained the flashy sprinter Apache Cat) in Victoria. “He was an experienced and professional horseman, and I spent 12 months there but didn’t really like Cranbourne.”

He worked at Leilani Lodge for 12 months and found both the “Cups King” and his then foreman John Thompson (now a successful trainer, also based at Randwick, in his own right) very helpful.

Smith took it upon himself to call Peter Snowden, who was then assistant trainer to John Hawkes at Ingham’s Crown Lodge (later Darley and now Godolphin) set-up at Warwick Farm.

“I told John what I wanted to do, though obviously I was very green. We got on really well, and it was he who recommended I should go back to the

“I had never met Peter, but Dad had given me his number and I had rung him once or twice for a bit of advice,” he said.

I GUESS THERE WAS SOMETHING BURNING DEEP INSIDE OF ME THAT PERSUADED ME TO GET INVOLVED AND LEARN ALL ABOUT THE TRAINING SIDE OF THE INDUSTRY.

Though he was interested in racing, sports – namely cricket and rugby league – were more his “go”.

country to learn more about racing at grassroots level and gradually work my way back.

After finishing his schooling at Newcastle, Smith headed to Sydney in an attempt to make a name for himself playing the latter.

Smith sensibly figured he couldn’t make a success of his training ambition overnight.

“Souths were out of the main NRL competition at the time, but I played in the A grade team with Souths Juniors as a second rower. “Craig Coleman was the coach, and other successful Souths players such as John Sutton and Nathan Merritt were there. “I was okay as a footballer, but it didn’t work out.” Smith said his family had always been connected with racing. His father raced a few horses in the country, as did his grandparents.

“He said that was the best way to achieve my goal.”

“I knew it was going to take a long time. But I had a vision in that if I worked for the best and spent a few years at each place, it would put me in good shape. “I was committed to doing it, even though it might take 10 years. That was my plan.” Smith was fortunate to join leading country trainer Greg Bennett (who earlier this year retired from training to take up an executive post with Aquis Farm in Queensland) at his then Scone base.

“Peter told me there was a position as a foreman, but that I was too young and also they preferred to promote from within.”

Smith was 24 when his fortunes changed a week later. Snowden called back and offered him the job af ter speaking with Hawkes. Smith agreed and committed to staying there for five years. “Six months after I started there, John (Hawkes) left to train with his sons and Peter took over. Two years later, Inghams sold out to Darley.” Smith was there for more than four years, and values his friendship with Snowden. “I would probably still be stuck in Melbourne but for him,” he said. “I talk with him whenever I am at the races in Sydney and rung him recently to ask for some advice on travelling horses interstate.” Further stints with Jason Coyle and John Thompson (both under the Patinack Farm banner) followed; 12 months with the latter at Warwick Farm as assistant trainer, with some 120 horses in work.

FROM THE TRACK Then Smith was ready to go it alone and take out his training licence. “At least I thought I was,” he offered. “But it doesn’t matter how much an apprenticeship you do; nothing can prepare you for it.” Smith moved to Port Macquarie and initially had only two horses in work. One of them was Top Crown, given to him by his grandparents. He headed to Grafton on February 13, 2010 with the old gelding; his very first starter in a race. Smith’s “Nan and Pop” drove from Scone, and it was worth the trip. With Glenn Lynch aboard, Top Crown won the “Chip In Cup”. As much a thrill as it was, Smith got few opportunities afterwards and moved to Newcastle six months later. He set up shop at Broadmeadow and approached former jockey Cameren Swan to help him out by riding trackwork. Smith had good success with Strada Lodge, raced in partnership by a number of Newcastle Jockey Club members. But it was one particular Saturday morning a couple of years ago which helped trigger his rise to prominence in the training ranks. “Peter Brown used to come to the track on Saturday mornings and always walked past where I had my horses tied up,” Smith explained. “We often chatted and he liked the way the horses looked and seemed to be impressed by what I was doing. “He mentioned he had a filly by Time Thief (from Hell It’s Hot) which had been passed in at a sale and asked if I would be interested in putting a syndicate together and training her,” Smith said.

He took up the offer and put a syndicate together to lease her. The rest, as they say, is history.

stables, and hopefully that will happen in the near future.”

That filly, now a four-year-old mare, races as In Her Time and Smith has done an outstanding job with her.

Smith is very appreciative of his “good staff who have been with me for a while” and especially his brother Daniel, an electrician by trade, whom he says has been the “backbone of the stable”.

Earlier this season, she won four races on the bounce in Sydney, including a pair of Group 2s -the Breeders Classic (1200m) at Royal Randwick and Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens – in February. In Her Time then ran a gutsy fifth (with 56kg) to Heavens Above in the $600,000 Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill, and again was brave when she filled a similar position from an awkward draw behind Redzel in last month’s Doomben Ten Thousand (1200m) at weight-for-age..

In Her Time’s Group 2 triumphs were obviously satisfying, but Smith has set his sights higher. “I put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed,” he said. “Winning Group 1s is the ultimate goal. “There’s no way I intend resting on my laurels. I don’t want to be a flash in the pan.”

Whilst the talented mare’s victories were obviously a timely boost to Smith’s career, success doesn’t necessarily ensure plain sailing. “ Whilst I now have 30 h o r s e s o n m y b o o k s, unfortunately I have had to knock back some others because I have only nine boxes at Broadmeadow,” he said. “I have asked the NJC to rent me extra suitable

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A special

DAY

IN LOUISE’S LIFE

HE “luck of the Irish” had nothing to do with it! LOUISE DAY made her own luck by riding the very first winner of her career – on Face Like Thunder at a Tuncurry TAB meeting in March. And absolutely no one could begrudge her that breakthrough success. In the scheme of things, this was no ordinary achievement. After all, she had travelled halfway around the world to chase her dream of being a jockey.

It’s a heck of a long way from Day’s home in County Roscommon in Ireland to the Mid North Coast of NSW to ride a winner, and understandably it meant so much to the 22-year-old. Now apprenticed to leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, Day has overcome many hurdles to even compete in the saddle, let alone get that elusive first winner on March 11. “It was all pretty surreal; it didn’t really hit me for a while that I had actually ridden my first winner,” Day told FROM THE TRACK. “Kris was so good to give me four rides that day and they were all well in the betting. “I put too much pressure on myself , and probably tried too hard. “I finished unplaced on my first two mounts, and then just got pipped on the third in the second last race. “I was so angry to get so close, and was determined to win the last race on Face Like Thunder.” That’s exactly what she did. The $1.90 favourite, Face Like Thunder was too good for her rivals in the Benchmark 60 Handicap (2100m). “It was a really massive day,” the young jockey reflected. “It’s been a long time coming and I’m so grateful for Kris giving me the opportunities to break through.” Whilst there was no family background in racing to suggest Day would become a jockey, horses were not foreign to her. “My parents (Simon and Astrid) thought racing was very random, but they always had ponies and horses and were involved in hunting and cross country show jumping, etc,” she explained.

Day rode ponies and show jumpers, and her passion for the thoroughbred was fuelled at 10 years of age when a training establishment was built “in a field next to our house” at Strokestown in County Roscommon. “I was fascinated by it; I got this crazy obsession that I would like to work there,” she explained. “Mum and Dad kept saying I was too young, and was never allowed to go. They didn’t want me to be involved at all.” For the next five years, Day recalls there was only one occasion when she was able to watch the horses work at close range. But it didn’t stop her sneaking out of the house other times, cycling down the road and peering through the hedge to see what was going on. “That was my childhood; trying to see the racehorses the whole time,” Day said. It all changed on her 15th birthday. Her mother organised through a friend for her daughter to go to the trainer’s stables one morning and ride their point-to-point horses. Her first experience of doing that remains vivid in her memory and, though frightening, the incident also convinced her of her career choice. “I was a featherweight; I weighed only about six stone (38kg),” Day said. “I rode a mare exercise and she went flat out across a big field. I had no control whatsoever. “She went the fastest speed I have ever felt. I didn’t know how to ride a racehorse, but I was hooked. I was going to be a jockey.” When a new trainer – who was friends with Day’s parents – took up residence at the nearby stables,

the teenager was finally allowed to go there after school and at weekends to help out. With tutoring from a couple of friends at the stables, Day began to learn about riding racehorses. “I got lots of opportunities and also rode in pony races, which is very big in Ireland.” Leaving school early was never an option as far as Day’s parents were concerned, and her Mum sat her down for a “serious conversation” during her final year. “Mum questioned whether I would become a jockey, and told me I should get back in the real world,” Day explained. “I promised Mum I would try my hardest in my exams and if I did well, would take a gap year trying to be a jockey and come back and go to University. “I did okay at exams and got the course I wanted, but the owner of the stables had a trainer friend (Mark Loughnane) at Stoke on Trent (England) who agreed to take me on.” In her first week there, Loughnane told his new arrival that she would be “good enough to be a jockey”. “It was the first time I had ever heard anyone say that,” Day offered. “Before, I had been getting knockbacks and knockbacks from different people. “It gave me a bit of hope, but it soon deteriorated. In my first year, I had only 11 rides (on horses who weren’t ready to win) for two minor placings. It really crushed me.” Day knew she “wasn’t good enough” at the time, though the trainer never admitted that to her. “I didn’t have a clue, but there was no one there to give me any training or guidance.” Six months later, Day was able to take a short break

FROM THE TRACK

Disillusioned and frustrated, Day early last spring was close to ending her dream of being a jockey, but never threw the towel in. Maher, who had sponsored her Melbourne stay, encouraged her to join Newcastle’s Kris Lees to pursue her riding career, though her preference was Adelaide (because of a connection with successful Irish apprentice Emily Finnegan). Ironically, an opportunity with Lees arose when his star apprentice Sam Clenton in October at Scone was involved in her second serious fall in five months. for her to join Melbourne’s Ciaron Maher (last year’s Caulfield Cup winning trainer) and she arrived on the eve of the new 2015-16 racing season.

All smiles after ﬁrst win at Tuncurry in America at Palm Meadows in Florida where she realised life could be so much better than she had been experiencing. Her visa meant she could stay a mere fortnight, and she returned home to Ireland. With a very supportive Mum, she didn’t go back to Uni and instead , joined trainer Shane Donoghue at Cavan (a county north of Roscommon). It was the catalyst for her Australian venture. “Shane was a massive help; he taught me more about riding in a few weeks than I had learnt anywhere else. “It really boosted me and he mentioned that if I wanted to go Australia, he would organise it through his good friend Hugh Bowman.” Day knew of Bowman (though not how good he was), and though Australia wasn’t in her remotest thoughts, she opted to take on a new venture.

“I introduced myself to Kris at trackwork at Caulfield one morning and told him what I wanted to do” Day said. “He asked when could I start.

“I was really starting my life all over again; I didn’t know anyone out here,” Day said.

“I love Melbourne and didn’t want to leave, but realised it was the only option to keep my dream alive. I moved to Newcastle after the Melbourne Cup (Jameka ran in it).”

“Ciaron gave me the weekend off to settle in, and I started riding work on the Monday morning. I’ve never looked back, and enjoyed every second of it.

Now that elusive first winner is out of the way, Day’s immediate aim is to obtain a new visa to enable her to ride trackwork and in races for “outside” trainers.

“He was a brilliant boss to work for; so much different to England. I can’t believe I put myself through it there for so long.

“Kris is a fantastic boss and never puts any pressure on me. But I have to get stronger and my goal is to be as good a rider as I possibly can,” she added.”

“Ciaron gave me huge opportunities. He let me ride in jumpout trials and also do course proper gallops on Group horses such as Jameka, Azkadelia and Srikandi. I also took Azkadelia to Brisbane and looked after her for so much of her winter stint.”

Day may have more to learn as a jockey, but showed during our lengthy interview that she needs no lessons in elocution, handling herself with aplomb.

As much as she wanted to be apprenticed to Maher, it wasn’t possible in Victoria as she wasn’t an Australian resident.

And she didn’t kiss the blarney stone either!

HOOFNOTE: Louise has since ridden a further three winners (including two at Newcastle).

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JOCKEYS’ PLAUDITS

FOR SCONE CARNIVAL TRACK

CONE chief executive Heath Courtney could not have wished for a better start to his tenure with his club’s outstanding two-day carnival last month. And the icing on the cake came when the NSW Jockeys’ Association subsequently took the trouble to congratulate the club on the excellent manner in which the track was presented and the way it raced.

“It was very humbling to receive that credit for our surface; I have never experienced that before,” Courtney, who took up his new posting in January, told FROM THE TRACK. “Our course manager Bernie Evans and his staff did a tremendous job, and that was reflected in the very competitive racing we witnessed on both days.” Courtney said overall TAB turnover on the Friday and Saturday meetings was on a par with last year, but noted a change in direction with attendances. “Whilst it wasn’t quite as full on the Friday (Cup day) in spite of the half-day holiday, the crowd was up on the Saturday,” he said. “Clearly Innocent was the most popular winner on the track. The locals went wild when he won his second Yarraman Park – Horsepower Luskin Star Stakes and maintained his unbeaten record (six wins) on the track.” Courtney said it was an “enormous privilege” to be involved with such a wonderful carnival, and was also thrilled that leading jockeys such as Hugh Bowman and Tommy Berry stayed on for the Saturday meeting rather than go to Brisbane for the Doomben 10,000 card.

the last

ark Hotel

Both days of the carnival boast metropolitan status and, as with last year, were again conducted in superb autumn weather. And whilst the club offered offered near $2m in prizemoney – remarkable indeed for a country club – and the carnival understandably earned rave reviews, Courtney has no intention of letting the grass grow under his feet. Already, he is looking at ways to make further improvement next year. “It is apparent that some of the locals are choosing to come on the Saturday because of the additional quality of our racing program,” Courtney said. “As our huge marquee isn’t as fully occupied as it is on the Friday, there is definitely an opportunity there to attract more families on the Saturday by creating and promoting an alcohol-free zone. “We did increase our children’s activities this year, but I’m sure we can take that aspect to another level.” Courtney is also keen to revamp the club’s website, and be more pro-active with social media to better promote his club’s activities. Bowman, Berry and apprentice Andrew Adkins shared the riding honors at the carnival, each

posting three wins. Bowman rode Clearly Innocent for the gelding’s new trainer Kris Lees, who also scored on the first day with favourites Deceptacon and Excelamour (Inglis 2YO Challenge). Berry won both the Segenhoe Stud Woodlands Stakes (Debonairly) and Coolmore Denise’s Joy Stakes (Miss Debutante) for co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Adkins rewarded his master Ron Quinton with a brilliant ride to land the Emirates Park Dark Jewel Classic on favourite Daysee Doom even though he was unable to claim. Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden combined with Tye Angland to land the $400,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas with $16 chance France, whilst Darren Beadman, who had just taken over the Godolphin team, landed three winners including the Darley Scone Cup with Duca Valentinois (Michael Dee), pictured above. Favourites had nearly a 50 per cent winning record from the 16 races with seven successful, and there were five winners who started at $10 or better. Albury-trained Lautaro at $21 was the longest-priced winner at the carnival.

Call in after the last Maitland Road Islington One block from Beaumont Street. Catch the free courtesy bus to Hamilton Station.

WINTER 2017

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WHAT’S ON WE ARE EXCITED TO UNVEIL OUR NEW WEBSITE JUN 2017

MONDAY 5 JUNE Cessnock Races TUESDAY 13 JUNE Strata Community Group Race Day @ Cessnock Racecourse SATURDAY 17 JUNE TLE Newcastle

NEWCASTLERACECOURSE.COM.AU The website is mobile responsive and is easy to navigate. It features the refreshed brand including great new images for the racecourse. Find out information for upcoming race days and hospitality packages or the view the latest news and events. newcastleracecourse.com.au

MONDAY 19 JUNE Scholastic Book Sale THURSDAY 22 JUNE NJC Race Day TUESDAY 27 JUNE NJC Race Day

JUL 2017

SATURDAY 1 JULY Fight for Connar Race Day SUNDAY 9 JULY Brickfest SATURDAY 15 JULY Clubs in The Community / PINK Race Day MONDAY 17 JULY Cessnock Races THURSDAY 27 JULY NJC Race Day

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your chance to win! Each week we will randomly pick a winner for some great prizes. Visit our new website newcastleracecourse.com.au for terms and conditions.

SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY 15 & SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER Spring Racing Carnival FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER Jungle Juice Cessnock Racecourse

NEWCASTLE JOCKEY CLUB Newcastle Racecourse Darling Street, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Phone: 02 4961 1573 newcastleracecourse.com.au

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr Geoff Barnett – Chairman Mr Paul Leaming – Vice Chairman Mr Rob Dan – Director Mr Mike Hadaway – Director Mr Brian Judd – Director Mr Bill Moncrieff – Director Mr Richard Sonnichsen – Director

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Welcome to the second edition of our new style of Inside Running. I trust you will enjoy the articles and photos that are included. A very big thank you to everyone that helped make our Newmarket race day and the opening of the new course proper so successful. We certainly had a good downpour that morning and the track performed exceptionally in the circumstances, as it is designed to. The Beaumont rated a heavy ten that day and we raced on a soft six. The rain was absorbed via the unique combination of composite, sand and mesh within the StrathAyr design. Racing commenced on this track in 1907 and we expect this new track will last for decades to come and be enjoyed by many future members, industry participants’ owners alike. The unwavering support from Racing NSW has been tremendous though the construction phase and the official opening was attended by Peter V’Landys AM. He spoke very highly of our club and how we secured the necessary funding and facilitated the construction phase. He also

mentioned that is was especially prudent to delay the opening until March to allow for the proper growth and consolidation of the turf through a spring and a summer. Included in this issue are many photos relating to the two very important club events in March being Newcastle and Hunter Hall of Fame and the running of the Provincial Championship Newcastle heat. The Newmarket Day Brunch for members was also well supported as was the special invitation of past NJC Directors to the Championship Luncheon.

I’m sure all members that have been attending race days in recent times will appreciate the significant investment the Board has made in raising the standard and maintenance of the track, as well as upgrading general facilities including bars, screens, marquees and other patron and participant areas. This all comes at a significant cost but well worth it given the unique opportunity the club had to re-invent itself with a new track – one that we like to think is now widely regarded as the best draining racing surface in the country.

All the functions were held at the Newcastle Racecourse and fully catered by our wonderful staff. Congratulations on such a fine effort. We can now look forward to the upcoming spring with a new track, new logos and branding and some great racing and events. Further information regarding all aspects of NJC membership and loyalty rewards will be included in a membership booklet which will soon be available.

Geoffrey Barnett Chairman.

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Welcome to

NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT They say good things are worth waiting for, and in the case of the main track at Newcastle Racecourse, the wait has certainly been worth it. An on-course and trackside facelift, years and millions of dollars in the making, has been unveiled at the facility, creating one of the best horse racing surfaces in the country and a venue that provides so much more than just a great day at the races.

During the next seven months the conventional profile track was replaced with a sand-based, all-weather system by contractors StrathAyr, who first laid sub-soil drainage pipes to harvest storm water, followed by 100mm of gravel, 110mm of plain sand, 120mm of mesh-reinforced sand and a 20mm layer of sand and Peat moss, capped off with a top layer of turf. All in all, it took 60,000 tonnes of sand and aggregate base and more than

ALONG WITH THE TRACK RE-BIRTH AND FACILITIES UPGRADE WE HAVE ALSO REJUVENATED THE LOGO FOR NEWCASTLE JOCKEY CLUB AND CREATED A NEW BRAND IDENTITY FOR OUR RACING PRECINCT.

At the heart of the changes is the $11.2 million redevelopment of the course proper funded by Racing NSW, which saw the sometimes problematic main surface rebuilt as a new all-weather track. The seeds of the redevelopment were sown as far back as 2011, when issues with the surface of the track flagged the need for its eventual total rebuild. The process began in earnest in September 2014 when the turf was stripped from the adjacent Beaumont track, which was first in line for an upgrade to be able to take on the racing duties while the major project on the course proper was completed. New turf was laid in April 2015, with the first race meeting held on the Beaumont track in October that year – the same month work on the main track commenced.

100,000 square metres of Kikuyu grass to redevelop the track, which has a circumference of 2016m. The final piece of turf was laid in May 2016, with a decision made to give the new surface the next 10 months to properly bed in before the course proper was officially opened at the Newcastle Newmarket Race Day in March. NJC CEO Matt Benson said the end result was the creation of a track that is second to none in NSW and among the best racing surfaces in all of Australia. “The club to its credit (and this happened before I got here), made a commitment that the track would have the best part of a year to consolidate and mature – and that patient approach has paid back in spades,” he said.

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“The nature of this track, being a sandbased, all-weather very free draining track, means that you need the grass roots to get down right through the matrix, so the whole track settles and binds if you like and creates the compound that means it will withstand the pressures of racing. “That has been happening since last April and the track is in perfect condition. We had a dryish summer, so we had some challenges keeping the water up to this sandy, thirsty beast. We’re learning a lot about how to manage that but I think we’ve got it right and we’ve had a wonderful contribution from Racing NSW from some of their experts about how to manage this, StrathAyr who put the track in have been really helpful… so we’re very excited that it will tick all the boxes because of the preparation.” But it is more than just the track facilities that have undergone somewhat of a rebirth - as part of creating a new “feel” at the Newcastle venue, it was decided a new identity would be given to the racecourse precinct, distinct from the NJC. While the Newcastle Jockey Club will remain at the core of the horse racing activities, a decision was also made to rebrand the entire racing precinct under the banner of Newcastle Racecourse, paving the way for a broader understanding of what a trip to the venue might involve. The racing club’s logo was refreshed with a traditional yet contemporary style that acknowledges its unique and significant history, while the venue itself was rebranded as the Newcastle Racecourse,

with its logo featuring the year 1907 in a nod to the year racing commended at the Broadmeadow site. “Along with the track re-birth and facilities upgrade we have also rejuvenated the logo for Newcastle Jockey Club and created a new brand identity for our racing precinct,” Mr Benson said. “We seized the opportunity to refresh our look and feel at this significant moment in the club’s history. “Our new track is a re-birth for racing in Newcastle and the region – and so it was crucial to align a re-birth of our image as well.”

“The message is also that it’s not just about a jockey club - even though the jockey club is still very much at the nerve centre of what happens here – but if you come here, it’s not just a jockey club, it’s a great day at the races.” The new brand also allows Newcastle Racecourse to more readily promote its other burgeoning market – non-race day events. With a host of indoor and outdoor spaces, the venue offers a high quality and versatile option for event organisers looking to put on everything from gala dinners, expos or music festivals to a business brunch, training session or company conference.

Mr Benson said this separation of the Club from the venue was similar to what had been done at other major horse racing clubs in Australia, allowing for the development of a brand that was about more than just the racing experience.

The permanent installation of the Stables and Trackside marquees on the lawn also make it ideally suited for brides-to-be looking to create their dream open air wedding experience.

“We engaged professional advice on how to approach a brand and logo review, and a lot of that market research showed … that people don’t relate to racing clubs, they relate to the venue,” Mr Benson said.

“If somebody wants to come here because they love the idea of getting married adjacent to the gorgeous track, next to the mounting yard in a marquee, they don’t want to do that at the Newcastle Jockey Club, they want to do that at the Newcastle Racecourse,” Mr Benson said.

“It’s no different to Randwick and the ATC; you don’t say to people you’re going to the Australian Turf Club this weekend - you’re going to Randwick.

“It’s an important but subtle change in how we market this place for both racing and non-racing events.

“To the general public, we want them to see we’re more than just a jockey club. We’re a facility that has functions, events and trade shows and lots of things happening, and when you come here it’s not about being a member, it’s about coming along and enjoying a day at the races or one of the other events that we put on.” With all that has been happening on and off the course, there’s no better time to head down to Darling Street and check out Newcastle Racecourse - because it’s certainly not as you knew it! The launch of the track and the reveal of the new brand was celebrated at an intimate event held at Newcastle Racecourse of Thursday 9 March. The event was attended by industry personnel including Racing NSW CEO Peter V’Landys CEO who was pleased with the five years of planning and hard work finally coming to fruition. “Racing NSW’s $11.2 million commitment to NJC highlights the importance we place on racing at Newcastle and how integral NJC is to Racing NSW’s vision” Mr V’Landys said. Words: Michelle Meehan Feature Writer intouch Magazine. Article reprinted with permission from intouch Magazine © 2017

Cassidy England, Geoff & Maureen Barnett, Amy Poole

Tim Crakanthorp MP, Peter V’Landys AM, Kris Lees & Michael Daley

David Dollan & Jeremy Ryan

Kris Lees & Jamie Lovett

Peter V’Landys AM & Geoff Barnett

Richard Sonnichsen, Barb Perry & John Gibbons

Robert MacKenzie & Frank Casimaty

Cassidy England, Chris Hyde & Amy Poole

2 0 1 7 W INT E R INS IDE RU N N I N G

TRIBUTE TO WAR HORSE ‘BILL THE BASTARD’ UNVEILED AT CESSNOCK RACECOURSE ON ANZAC DAY A special memorial dedicated to the ‘Walers’ used by the Light Horsemen in the first world war was unveiled on Tuesday 25 April at Cessnock’s time-honoured ANZAC Day race meeting. Newcastle Jockey Club Chairman Geoff Barnett, along with representatives from veteran support organisation Soldier On, were on hand at Cessnock Racecourse to officially unveil a life-size statue of legendary war horse ‘Bill the Bastard’.

BILL WAS A TRUE AUSSIE WAR HERO WHOSE LEGENDARY FEATS EARNED HIM THE TITLE OF AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST WAR HORSE. now honours our service men, women and, of course horses. “Soldier On is proud to be associated with this project and also the Cessnock

Racecourse as it has provided our team with the opportunity to contribute to the local community and build an important memorial leading into ANZAC Day,” Mr Jeffrey said. Following the ceremony, racegoers enjoyed the afternoon trackside with a few rounds of two-up, entertainment by Venus Music and a free kids’ zone.

“The giant statue is a tribute to the courageous men, women and horses who served our nation, and reflects the critically important role of horses in Australia’s military history, in particular, Bill,” Mr Barnett said. “Bill was big, strong, fearless, intelligent and tough with a cantankerous nature – he only ever allowed one man to ride him in battle, Major Michael Shanahan.” The beneficiary of fundraising at the race day was Soldier On, a charity that assists modern-day veterans and their families in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast. Soldier On’s local support officer Dan Jeffery said he was pleased with the support received from racegoers through gold coin donations but even more proud of the team that restored the statue that

Stewart Sherman, Dan Jeffrey & Craig Blue from Soldier On & NJC Chairman Geoff Barnett after the war horse statue was unveiled at Cessnock Racecourse on ANZAC Day

S A V E T H E D AT E

JUNGLE JUICE CUP 13 OCTOBER 2017

NE WC AS T L ER AC EC O U R S E .COM .AU @NEWCAST LERACES

MEMBERSHIP

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR THE 2017/2018 RACING SEASON! Newcastle Jockey Club invites you to renew your Membership for the 2017/2018 Racing Season. We have made some exciting changes to the Membership Program including the introduction of a new Membership Handbook designed to inform you of the various privileges and facilities available to you as a NJC Member. PLUS we are introducing a new member loyalty program – Racing Rewards, which will replace all previous Membership benefits.

NEW! RACING REWARDS PROGRAM! EARN NJC DOLLARS SIMPLY BY ATTENDING RACE MEETINGS!

The new program will reward Members for their attendance and spend with the Club and you can redeem your points on a range of hospitality packages.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE RACING REWARDS PROGRAM, MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO COME ALONG TO OUR MEMBER MORNING TEA ON SATURDAY 17 JUNE. PLEASE CALL ADMINISTRATION ON 4961 1573 TO RSVP YOUR ATTENDANCE. HOW IT WORKS From July 1, 2017, Members will accrue points at the rate of 10 Racing Reward points for every $1 spent when purchasing selected Membership Products and Race Day Packages through Administration. In addition, Members are able to earn 10 Racing Reward points for every $1 spent on a race day when a food and/or drink purchase is made. Further, points are also awarded for attendance at each race day. For example, attend a non-feature weekday race meeting to earn 750 points or a non-feature Saturday meeting to earn 500 points. You can also redeem these points the same day once a food or beverage purchase has been made.

Or, reserve a table in the Members’ Lounge or Chevals Restaurant on a nonfeature day to earn 100 points or 1,000 points, respectively. Members can begin redeeming rewards as soon as sufficient Racing Rewards points are accrued. Points redeemed at the rate of 1 point = 1 cent or as an example, a Member who has accrued 400 points can redeem their points for a $4.00 beverage. RENEW your Membership before 30 June to receive bonus Racing Rewards points!

If you have any questions regarding your Membership, please contact Administration on 4961 1573 or reception@njc.com.au.

Racing Rewards

An Ordinary Member will accrue 1,320 points and a Concession Member 660 points just by renewing their Membership by 30 June 2017! 2 0 1 7 W INT E R INS IDE RU N N I N G

The inaugural Newcastle & Hunter Hall of Fame inductees

RACING ICONS IMMORTALIZED The first of many Hunter horseracing identities were inducted into the inaugural Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall of Fame on Wednesday 15 March. Associates A.O ‘Alf’ Ellison and Athol Albert ‘Bill’ Hill; trainers Max Lees and Paul Perry; jockeys Wayne Harris and Robert Thompson; and racehorses Rogilla and Luskin Star all shared in the honour. More than 150 people attended the gala dinners at Newcastle Racecourse to celebrate with the winners, who

were among 59 nominees across four categories. Hall of Fame Chairman, Brian Judd, said he was thrilled the event shone a light on the region’s rich racing history. “The awards have been launched to recognise the extraordinary contribution of these associates, trainers, jockeys and racehorses to the Newcastle and Hunter region or the wider Australian thoroughbred industry,” he said.

The eight inductees will have a plaque dedicated to them in the soon-to-be designed Hall of Fame Garden at Newcastle Racecourse.

NE WC A STL E & H UNTER R AC IN G

HALL OF FAME

Bruce, Sally, Jenna & Nathan Oaks

Lei Anne Percinsky, Lorraine Coffey, Roy Hinton & Sharon Scorse

Cory and Julieanne Christopher, Mike Thew & Neil Hoyter

Jan Burns, Phyllis Thompson, Joan Dawburn, Robert and Jenni Thompson, Sharna and Brent Thompson.

Lorraine & Col Davies, & Val Harrey

Cassidy England, Dr Harry Jarvis, Danielle Grilles

Phyllis Thompson, David Mathews, Jan Burns

Justin Lees, Vicki Lees, Danielle Statham & Kris Lees

Think abou t y o ur c ho ic e s. C a ll G a mb ling He l p o n 1 8 0 0 8 5 8 8 5 8 o r v i s i t www. g a m b l i n g h e l p . n s w. g o v. a u

FROM THE TRACK

NEW FORMAT for

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHANGE is in the wind! RacingNSW has decided on a different format for next year’s Provincial Championships Series, with all fi ve qualifying heats to be run on every Saturday in March. And Newcastle will host the final qualifier to be run on March 31 (Easter Saturday), with the club fully supporting the new dates. Wyong will open the 2018 series – the fourth since its inception in 2015 – on March 3, followed by Hawkesbury (March 10), Gosford (March 17) and Kembla Grange (March 24). All five qualifiers this year were run on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday dates, with Canberra mare Maryore (who won the Kembla heat, which was transferred to Goulburn because of wet conditions) subsequently taking the $400,000 final (1400m) at Royal Randwick. Newcastle Jockey Club chief executive Matt Benson is looking forward to promoting a big Easter Saturday fixture next year, with a slightly later finish to the program. “This will be the last day of daylight savings in 201718, and it will give us the opportunity to run the Provincial qualifier as the second last race around the 5.30pm timeslot,” Benson said. “I’m sure we will get a big field for a $150,000 race on a Saturday, and have no doubt running it at a later timeslot will attract additional betting turnover. “It will also give the jockeys who regularly ride at

provincial meetings the chance to compete in such excellent prizemoney events.

“The Friday date, especially with a later start, is better for patrons than a Wednesday,” Benson said.

“We are right behind RacingNSW’s move to run all the qualifying heats throughout March on Saturdays.

“Our weather conditions, especially in the morning, were fairly ordinary for this year’s Newmarket.

“Trainers will be able to plan the programs for their horses, and Saturday dates provide all five provincial clubs with the opportunity to draw bigger crowds than is often the case at midweeks.”

“The later finish enables local workers to still get to the track and watch the final few races, including of course the Newmarket.

This year’s Newcastle qualifier – run on Wednesday, March 29 – was won by local trainer Kris Lees. Clevedon Bay (Brenton Avdulla) beat Wyong-trained Calabasas (Blake Shinn) and another local, $101 shot Pacific Reign, prepared by David Atkins. John O’Shea and Godolphin’s visiting UK jockey James Doyle teamed for a treble on the nine-race card, scoring with Sanctioned ($8), Obscura ($2.20 favourite) and Vigilance ($7). Hawkesbury trainer Jason Attard also had a successful day, winning with Senorita De Vega (Koby Jennings) and Reiby Rampart (Glyn Schofield). Newcastle held its Group 3 Newmarket Handicap (1400m) on Friday, March 17 on the occasion of the first entire meeting held on the swank new course proper.

“It’s clear running the Newmarket at a later time (between 6 and 6.30pm) significantly boosts turnover.” Randwick trainer Pat Webster clinched this year’s running of Newcastle’s feature autumn sprint with the talented $3.50 favourite Happy Clapper (Blake Shinn), pictured above. Happy Clapper raced on the speed, and powered away over the last 200m to convincingly beat local Got Unders ($13) and Hawkesbury mare Kellyville Flyer ($26), a subsequent Randwick winner. Though he subsequently ran really well again, Happy Clapper was unable to follow in the hoofbeats of Secret Savings (1997) and Patezza (2005), who both won the Newmarket-Doncaster double. Happy Clapper finished second to Godolphin’s allthe-way winner It’s Somewhat in the $3m Group 1 Doncaster Mile on April 1, with local Sense Of Occasion finishing third at big odds.

Call in after the lastCall in aft Wickham Park Hotel Wickham

This also was the first time the Newmarket had been switched from a Wednesday to a Friday date, and the club is sticking solid.

Next year’s date has already been scheduled, and will be run on Friday, March 9, again as a twilight fixture.

Bistro Facilities Entertainment - Race Days 5.30pm - 8.00pm (Beer Garden)

You’re on a winner @ the Wicko!

Shinn’s Newmarket victory on Happy Clapper was his third at the March 17 meeting, having scored earlier on Coulthard ($2.25 favourite) and Daytime Dancer ($9.50).

SERVICES’ CLUB DEAL

HUGE BOOST for Grafton’s Ramornie

A new sponsorship can deal can lift the profile of Grafton’s time-honored sprint back to its former glory. That’s the opinion of Clarence River Jockey Club chief executive Michael Beattie, who says he “couldn’t be happier” with Grafton District Services Club’s decision to lend its support to the $160,000 Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m). “We’ve signed off on a three-year arrangement, and it’s fantastic news for both clubs,” Beattie told FROM THE TRACK. “For as long as I can remember, the Services Club has been a major supporter of the CRJC. “As a member of the Kensei Club, they have been lucky enough to have been drawn twice in the last 10 years to sponsor the Grafton Cup. “On both those occasions, their promotional efforts of that race were absolutely outstanding, and I have no doubt they can achieve similar results with the Ramornie. “The Services Club has a massive group (8000) of members, and all of them will be entitled to FREE entry on Ramornie day. “That is going to provide a huge boost to our crowd. It will lift the Ramornie back to the heights it enjoyed 10-15 years ago.” The Ramornie – won last year by former Hong Kong sprinter Smart Volatility, who robbed Scone’s Big Money of a second victory in the feature race – will be run on Wednesday, July 12; the third of

Grafton’s famous five-day July carnival.

Tye Angland partnered Smart Volatility, who started at $21 and gave bookmakers a great result. The Ramornie carries exemption from ballot for preceding winners of the June Stakes and Winter Dash (Randwick), Lightning Handicap (Doomben), Healy Stakes (Eagle Farm), and Grafton’s own John Carlton Cup (1200m). The latter race – along with the 2200m Grafton Cup Prelude – highlight the opening day of the carnival on Thursday, July 6. As in previous years, the Ramornie winner automatically then becomes exempt from ballot for Newcastle’s Group 3 Cameron Handicap in September. The July carnival swings into its second day on Sunday, July 9 with the running of the $50,000 South Grafton Cup (1600m) – for which the winner is exempt from ballot for the $160,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) four days later (Thursday, July 13). This year’s Cup will again be sponsored by McKimms Real Estate, who won the ballot late last month for a second successive year as the successful member of the popular Kensei Club. Last year’s Cup evoked great emotion when young Coffs Harbour trainer Sally Taylor, having held a licence for only a few months, won it with roughie Rednav ($26), ridden by Peter Graham. T h e G raf to n C u p w i n n e r a g a i n b e c o m e s automatically exempt from ballot for Newcastle’s

Group 3 Gold Cup (2300m) at its September carnival. The CRJC boosted prizemoney by $10,000 to $160,000 for both the Ramornie and Cup last year – and has maintained that level this year. So too the club has maintained prizemoney levels for all five days, offering nearly $1.25m over one of Australian racing’s best country carnivals, which concludes with the $30,000 Maclean Cup (1400m) on Sunday, July 16. Inglis has again come on board with a $50,000 bonus for connections of the winner of the $50,000 Grafton Guineas (1600m) for three-year-olds, provided that horse has been paid up for the Inglis Bonus Race Series. Supporting the Grafton Cup will be the traditional $50,000 Sir James Kirby Quality (1000m), $50,000 Mother’s Gift (1400m) for fillies and mares, and $45,000 NBN 2YO Plate (1200m). Another interesting carnival move is the further increase in distance of the Benchmark 60 Handicap on the final (Maclean Cup) day. Run at 2950m last year (up from 2350m), it will stretch to 3120m this year, making it the longest race ever run at Grafton. The CRJC has done this to provide stayers with an ideal lead-up to Newcastle’s now annual 3200m restricted race in August. Nominations for both the Ramornie and Cup and all supporting races on both those days close at 11am on Thursday, July 6.

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FROM THE TRACK

BACK

TA R E E C U P

CARNIVAL

A major sponsor is again on board and a former one has come back into the fold.

Taree-Wingham Race Club is both delighted to confirm major law firm Stacks Law Firm – which has its main office in Taree - as its continuing Gold Cup sponsor and to welcome Taree Leagues Club’s return as raceday sponsor of Day 1 of the August carnival on Friday and Sunday, August 18 and 20. The $80,000 Stacks Law Firm Taree Gold Cup (2000m) will highlight the second day’s racing and is sure to once more attract an excellent field. Newcastle trainer Kris Lees won last year’s Cup – which carried an $80,000 purse for the fi rst time – with $7 chance Olympic Academy, ridden by Aaron Bullock (pictured). Lees also started French import Slow Pace, who ran eighth and subsequently won the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m). The Taree Cup winner continues to be guaranteed a start in Wyong’s feature event. Lees’ success with Olympic Academy followed on from fellow Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s Taree Cup victory the previous year with Ghost Protocol (Thomas Huet).

Taree chief executive Brian Leggett says his club is thrilled with Stacks Law Firm’s continuing support. “Being able to keep our Cup prizemoney at a record level hopefully will entice metropolitan stables to have a crack at our feature race,” Leggett said. “It is also a great result for us that Taree Leagues Club, after an absence of several years, agreed to sponsor the first day of the carnival.” The Friday meeting will feature the Hopkins Livermore Cup (1400m), which will be worth $32,000. “This race honours and acknowledges the tremendous contribution both Don Hopkins and Ivan Livermore made to racing in the Mid North Coast area over many years,” Leggett said. Wyong trainer Kim Waugh won last year’s running of the Hopkins Livermore Cup – which was moved to the opening day as the highlight event - with favourite No Bad Blood (Jay Ford).

Adding spice to the Cup program on the Sunday will be the $35,000 Manning Lightning (1000m), introduced last year and won by the Jim Jarvistrained Plateau Gold (Matt McGuren), who started a $4.80 favourite in a spirited betting affair. “The Manning Lightning will have a permanent place as the last race on Cup day,” Leggett said. “And the club is extremely pleased that racing enthusiast Mario Tomlin and Mid Coast Automotive Group again has taken up sponsorship of the sprint.” Taree also will race on Thursday, August 10 when the Cup Prelude will be run over 16000m, providing Cup hopefuls with an important lead-up.

Bushland Drive Racecourse, Lawson Crescent Taree, NSW 2430

2017 TAREE CUP CARNIVAL Thursday 10th August (Cup Prelude Day) Friday 18th August - Day One Cup Weekend

Hopkins/Livermore 1400m Open H’cap

$32,000 prizemoney

Sunday 20th August - Taree Cup Day Taree 2000m Quality H’cap Cup

$80,000 prizemoney (Winner exempt from the 2017 Wyong Cup ballot) ‘Manning Lightning’ 1000m Open Sprint $35,000 prizemoney

JIM

BELL

A L IFELO NG CO N T R I BU T I O N TO H A R N E S S R ACI N G

HEN it comes to longevity in racing administration, JIM BELL surely takes some beating! The popular Newcastle Harness Racing Club chairman has been involved in the industry for more than 50 years – and seen it from both sides of the fence. And he’s still enjoying that involvement as much as ever.

In his earlier days, Bell trained and drove pacers before switching gait and becoming involved with the administration side. He was chairman of the Newcastle club in 1989 prior to the opening of the current 940m track and was reappointed for a second term in 1999; a position he still retains. There was never any question Bell would be associated with horses, given his family background. It could so easily have been the thoroughbreds. Instead, it was with the standardbreds.

“A chap called Harry Crouch felt sorry for me I think and had something to do with me getting the mare. “Brigade Dress had flat feet and I trained her on the beach at Redhead by following the tide.” The mare’s aversion to those pesky flies led to an incident one day which caused dramatic – and nearly disastrous – consequences. “The flies really upset her,” Bell said. “She flipped over this day, smashed the shaft of the gig and broke free.

Bell and his wife Doreen in 1979 bought a newsagency in the inner Newcastle suburb of Mayfield, and ran it successfully for many years. A busy lifestyle notwithstanding, he maintained his love of harness racing, and his business acumen would come to the fore as he became more deeply involved with the industry’s administration operations. As mobile racing became more popular than the traditional standing starts, the Hunter did not have a track to suit those needs.

“Neither Newcastle nor Maitland was “Pop (Jim) was a racecourse detective “WE HAD A DIVERSE COMMITTEE, BUT WE suitable,” Bell said. “There was an attempt at Broadmeadow and Uncle Wal was a to amalgamate the two clubs. steward,” Bell told FROM THE TRACK in REPAID EVERYONE WHO HAD THE FAITH IN an interview as the rain fell heavily on the “The Maitland track was remodelled, US BY MAKING THE NEW SET-UP WORK.” morning of the Newcastle Newmarket and there was also racing at Cessnock. meeting in March (the first entire meeting held on “She raced into the water and headed off toward “But it became evident there was a great need the new course proper). New Zealand. Fortunately, we were able to recapture for a much better track at Newcastle to replace her.” “Two of Dad’s brothers also worked at Newcastle the Showgrounds track, which was only 660m.” Jockey Club around the same time Jack Hibberd Injury, including a severed tendon from which The present site was found (adjoining what is was the secretary. she eventually recovered, unfortunately restricted now McDonald Jones Stadium – home ground Brigade Dress’ racing career. “Dad (also Jim) was a keen punter, and never for both the Newcastle Knights and Newcastle missed a Saturday meeting at Broadmeadow.” Bell’s initial involvement with the administration Jets - and thankfully a brand new state of the art side of the industry arose in 1961 when he took a track eventuated; though not before a lot of water Bell wasn’t even 17 years of age when his father spot on the local Owners & Trainers committee, flowed under the bridge. passed away, and it was a subsequent meeting when Jim Horne was president. with harness racing trainer Jack Andrews which “The International Sports Centre Trust advised us fuelled his passion for the standardbred. Bell recalls it was at an “interesting time” when that Newcastle was entering the National Rugby things were happening with the NSW TAB. Leage (NRL) competition in 1986, and that there “Jack had a bootmaking business opposite the wasn’t room for us,” Bell said. Gordon Avenue bus depot in Hamilton, and through “Newcastle gained TAB coverage for their 25 him I started to get interested in the pacers,” Bell meetings during the season,” he said. “Our then secretary, the late Paul Daly, was adamant recalled. there was sufficient room for a trotting track and “They were run by the Show Society, which raced we didn’t give up easily. “In those days of course the Friday meetings were between August and February. Maitland, which was run on the old Showgrounds track (not far from run by industry participants, staged 20 meetings “A lot of people were involved, including our next the present site).” but weren’t afforded TAB coverage because they secretary Christine Brewer. I would especially like raced on Saturday evenings. to also acknowledge the then Member for Waratah, Bell took his interest in harness racing to the next John Price, and local head of the Department of level by both training and driving pacers. “Jim Horne subsequently led a delegation to the Lands, John Osmond. TAB, and a compromise was reached whereby By his own admission, however, he was “nothing all Newcastle and Maitland meetings were held “Both played a major role in getting approval for flash” as a driver. on Friday nights right throughout the season with a new track to be built here, and George Keegan (now deceased but then the Independent Member “I only kept one or two in work at a time, but I did TAB cover.” for Newcastle) got us the funds a few years later have a pretty fair one (Brigade Dress). to build a new grandstand.

FROM THE TRACK “Newcastle had the best track in NSW for 20 years until Harold Park was sold, enabling Club Menangle to be upgraded into a world-class circuit.” Bell says he will never forget the opening night of Newcastle’s new track on October 21, 1989. “It was a wonderful night; there were people everywhere,” he said. “It was easily the biggest crowd we have ever had, and the brilliant Rowleyalla won the Newcastle Mile. “We had a diverse committee, but we repaid everyone who had the faith in us by making the new set-up work.” Bell says he has been especially pleased to work with four general managers; Paul Daly, Christine Brewer, Ross Gigg (who passed away suddenly three years ago) and the incumbent, Tony Drew. “Ross did an absolutely magnificent job; he got on with everyone and had their full respect,” he said. “Tony subsequently took over after Ross’ death and it is also great to work with him.

NHRC general manager Tony Drew says Jim Bell’s love of the industry and in particular the people within it has to be admired. “Jim has spent a liftetime in the industry, first as a participant and then in an official capacity. “He has been ably supported by wife Doreen throughout his tenure as a senior member of the NHRC Board. “His knowledge of the industry is renowned, and his memory of even very minor occurrences is remarkable, which has been evident at local and state level. “Jim has the respect of his peers and is held in the highest regard by those who have the pleasure of knowing him. “He has this wonderful capacity to “listen”, to hear what you are saying and then make an informed decision. “As a businessman, he understands the vagaries of running a large enterprise that has so many integral parts, from funding issues to rules and regulations and personal participant issues. He does so all with the best interests of Newcastle Harness Racing Club. “It may be an often-overused phrase but for Jim Bell it is absolutely true; He is one of nature’s gentlemen.”

“I have never regarded myself as a driving chairman. You employ the right people to do the job, and I’m here to support them.” Bell, who turned 76 last month, says his passion for harness racing has never dimmed. “I love the people in the industry and enjoy talking with them. I have the utmost respect for our participants. It’s a very difficult industry in these economic times to make a living, but they never throw the towel in.”

Photo courtesy COFFEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Congratulations

Jim

on your F U T U R E E N D E AV O U R S

From The Directors, Management & Staff of Bathurst Har ness Racing Club

Group 1 Feeds Paceway, 169 College Rd Bathurst NSW 2795 Phone : 02 6333 5000 Email : contact@goldcrown.com.au

on your wonderful achievements From The Board, Management and Staff of

SCOT T DA R BY LONG HARD ROAD TO

GROUP 1

GLORY

T’S the ultimate racing experience!

And for the many clients of Darby Racing fortunate enough to share in the ownership of this year’s $3m Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, the successful syndicator’s catchy slogan certainly rings true. But it’s been a long, hard road to achieve success in the world’s richest two-year-old race – as Darby Racing’s founder and managing director SCOTT DARBY (pictured) can readily testify. A long way indeed from starting out in an office in his home in Sydney’s western suburbs when Darby launched his new company in November, 2007. Reflecting on Darby Racing’s rise to prominence in the syndication ranks as his company approaches its first decade in operation, he says the business is now “chalk and cheese” to when it began. Somewhat ironically, Darby says he stumbled across becoming a syndicator after trying several aspects of the racing industry.

years were hard. I had certain ideas of my own, but had to learn the ropes.

“When you make mistakes, you have to be sure to take a lesson from them.” Darby likened syndicating horses to coaching a football team. “You have to pick the right horses, and then get the right trainers to look after them and get the best out of them for your owners.” Darby’s first venture was a purchase at a Ready To Run sale in New Zealand of an unraced young horse by international sprinter and subsequent stud success Choisir. “We paid NZ$80,000 for him, and he raced as Elastane,” Darby said. “Clarry Conners trained him for his first four starts, and he was placed

the track – and even greater returns when sold. Time For War, a $56,000 purchase, won $470,000 and changed hands for a cool $1.2m when retired to stud (sadly, he passed away suddenly late last year). Look To The Stars cost only $26,000 (also at the annual Scone yearling sale) and won $358,000, then fetched $600,000 as a broodmare. On the other side of the fence, Snitzerland (who won eight of her 20 starts) gave Darby heart palpitations when she led the field around the turn in the 2012 Golden Slipper before finishing second to Pierro.

“I HAD TO FIND MY NICHE IN RACING DOING SOMETHING I WAS GOOD AT, AND I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A GO AS A BUSINESS.”

“I’ve been pretty much involved in racing for 25 years or so,” 43-year-old Darby told FROM THE TRACK. “I’ve loved horses since I was a 10-year-old, and was introduced to racing when I was 16 and subsequently started working in racing stables. “I also had a bit of dabble breeding horses and breaking them in, but I guess I stumbled into the syndication side of the business. “Eventually, the early starts at stables got to me, and I began syndicating some horses for trainers by putting small advertisements in newspapers looking for share partners. “ I h a d to f i n d m y niche in racing doing something I was good at, and I decided to give it a go as a business.” Darby readily admits it was tough going for the fi rst few years. “It was a daunting reality; I was a fish out of water,” he said. “Those formative

in all of them (at Gosford, Nowra, Bathurst and Kembla Grange). “We decided to shift him to Queensland to Stuart Kendrick (then based at Mackay), who won first-up with him at Townsville in September, 2009. “Elastane won a further seven races under Stuart’s care, and picked up more than $100,000 prizemoney. He was a good first advertisement for us.”

“We paid $125,000 for her at the 2011 Melbourne Premier yearling sale, and went over budget,” Darby admitted. “I didn’t like doing it, especially as my wife Renee was pregnant with our first child.

“When the filly arrived in NSW to be broken in, Mark Holland (now Darby’s racing manager) was a breaker at the property and said she was offset in front. “She was a nice filly, but I wasn’t comfortable with that and we on sold her before she raced. “I was at Rosehill on Slipper day and felt sick when she was still in front at the 200m in the Slipper. I thought: ‘I’ve let a once in a lifetime opportunity pass by’. “Obviously, I was disappointed but it made me so much more determined.”

Darby says there weren’t as many syndicators operating then, and that the scene had changed dramatically.

Clearly, it worked. Along came Yankee Rose and She Will Reign in consecutive years; costing only $33,000 between them at yearling sales.

”It’s a different ball game altogether now attracting clients, with the advent of Facebook and Twitter.

Yankee Rose, now a dual Group 1 winner, was runner-up to Capitalist in last year’s Golden Slipper and then in the spring beat the “boys” in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick before finishing a mighty third to Winx in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

“Keeping our heads above water was difficult in the early days. We paid a wage and nothing more in the first five to six years. “I was always careful not to over commit. Things are a lot smoother now since we have enjoyed good success in the last few years.” Our Joan Of Arc (by Beautiful Crown) was amongst the first crop of Darby syndications, and won both the 2008 Listed Gimcrack Stakes at Royal Randwick and Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival. Time For War and Look To The Stars were Darby purchases who gave their owners great thrills on

Her earnings currently stand at $2m and Darby reports she is back in work and being “taken along slowly”. And what about She Will Reign, sold for $22,000 as Lot 468 at the Inglis Classic sale in February last year. She has been beaten only once in five starts and has collected just over $2.5m. Darby knew plenty about the Manhattan Rain filly’s background. Not only does Darby Racing own one

of the stallion’s daughters Scarlet Rain (a winner at her first three starts), but he had also purchased and raced her dam Courgette years earlier. This was her first foal, and Darby was keen to buy her. He was surprised to secure her as cheaply as he did, having valued her at between $40,000 to $50,000. “Whilst she wasn’t 100 per cent correct in front, She Will Reign was a nice bodied filly and really athletic.” Her breeder Garry Bachell also felt his filly would fetch more than she did, but didn’t sky the towel. A good Darby supporter, he purchased 10 per cent back when she was syndicated. Darby had purchased Courgette (by Charge Forward) on the recommendation of his now racing manager Mark Holland, who had broken her in. “Mark really liked Courgette as a young filly, and we bought her as a tried horse from her then trainer Gerald Ryan’s clients,” he said. Injuries prevented her from realising her full potential, but she won two races (at Kembla Grange as a two-year-old and Canterbury as a three-year-old).

Courgette was well fancied on debut in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick in December, 2009; she started a $4 co-favourite with eventual winner Chance Bye and finished seventh. Seven years later, her daughter She Will Reign won that same race – and this time it was worth $500,000. After kicking off Darby Racing from a room in his house and then “graduating” to his garage, Darby now operates from an office in Narellan in Sydney’s west. “It’s ideal,” he said. “We’re close to the spelling paddocks and it’s not far either from Warwick Farm (where Gary Portelli trains She Will Reign),” he said. Darby Racing last season had 245 starters for 47 winners and 59 placings, and their runners collected just over $3m in prizemoney. Thanks to She Will Reign’s Slipper triumph, that figure has already been well and truly exceeded – and the season isn’t over yet. With Darby’s brother Mark (accounts, marketing and sales), Mark Holland (racing manager) and Steve McIvor (sales and marketing) alongside him

at Darby Racing, the future is looking rosy. “Our aim continues to be finding value for our everyday clients from Australia and overseas,” Darby said. Darby Racing syndicated 36 horses in 2016 and prior to last month’s Scone sale had already purchased 20 yearlings since January. As for She Will Reign, her connections are giving the brilliant filly every chance to avoid the often dreaded Golden Slipper “curse” as a three-year-old. Her mission is Australian racing’s newest and richest race – the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October. “We’ve been guaranteed a spot and, because of that, we can give her a longer spell than Golden Slipper winners normally have,” Darby said. “She will have 10-12 weeks off before returning to work. It will do her a tremendous amount of good.” Win, lose or draw, She Will Reign’s bevy of owners have already enjoyed the ultimate racing experience. Perhaps Darby Racing will have to come up with a brand new slogan if she climbs another huge mountain and races off with The Everest!

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S a teenager growing up in Central Queensland, HEATH COURTNEY had thoughts of becoming a policeman. Whilst that didn’t materialise, 41-year-old Courtney is now “charged” with controlling one of Australian racing’s major country clubs as Scone’s newest chief executive.

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“I preferred sport to going to University,” he said. “When they changed the requirements for entering the police force, that ended that.” Instead, Courtney became a licensed builder and set up a family company, Courtney Homes.

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great potential to grow this quality facility into a busier venue.” Courtney was entirely satisfied with his lot in life when successful then Albury trainer Brett Cavanough (who recently shifted permanently to Scone) told him last year “there is a good job for you” at Scone.

Growing up, his only real interest in racing was as a once-a-year punter on the Melbourne Cup, but he started to take a keener interest after a “good day on the punt”. “My uncle was a punter, and I spent a weekend with him at Woodgate Beach (on Queensland’s Fraser Coast),” he said. “We had a really good Saturday, and I began to get more interested in the punting side of racing.” Courtney’s love of animals also influenced him to become involved as a part-owner in racehorse syndication with Champion Thoroughbreds. His first horse Midnight Reigns (trained by John O’Shea) won at Newcastle in January, 2012 and also was placed on five occasions. Not that he could have even remotely considered then that five years later he would take up an appointment as Scone’s chief executive. But a family holiday to the Darling Downs was the accelerant for setting him on that path.

“We had a couple of horses with Tony Gollan in pre-training, and went to have a look at them,” Courtney explained. “We loved Toowoomba instantly and decided to move there toward the end of 2013, after taking 12 months to wind down our business at home. “Our plan was to start afresh and get normal jobs so that we could spend more time with our children.” Ironically, through his racing contacts coupled with his building experience, Courtney landed a job renovating Toowoomba Turf Club’s offices at Clifford Park. It could not have worked out better. Toowoomba chief executive Blair Odgers was sufficiently impressed to offer Courtney a position looking after the venue’s maintenance and the large training facility (at least 500 horses are in work there). “ To owo o m ba rac e s 46 tim e s a ye a r a n d subsequently, looking after the racing operations also was merged as part of my job,” he said. “We have just over 100 horses training at Scone, and race only 16 times a year. There definitely is

Again, there was a touch of irony there. Cavanough was operating a satellite stable at Toowoomba whilst Albury was undergoing a major track reconstruction. “One thing led to another and Brett arranged for the Scone club to get in touch with me,” Courtney said. “I had a couple of phone interviews and then came down to Scone for a final interview and was offered the job,” he said. Sadly, Scone’s highly-respected chairman Noel Leckie passed away within days of Courtney beginning his new role in January. “Noel played an integral part in getting me to Scone, and I was looking forward not only to working with him, but also learning as much as I could from him because of his wonderful knowledge,” he said. “He was a great person and left a lovely family. Obviously, we were in some turmoil as a result of his death, but we are very fortunate to have a quality Board to take up the reins, and have had to move on. “At the same time, everyone at the club is dedicated to carrying on his legacy.”

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New SEPTEMBER DATE for TUNCURRY FORSTER CUP A new date and increased prizemoney has Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club officials licking their lips for a return to racing.

and made it back to back wins last year with Winter Reign. The now retired Alex Stokes rode both winners.

McQuillan took over as president 11 years ago when the club was teetering on the edge of extinction after a number of dramas.

The $30,000 XXXX Gold Tuncurry Forster Cup (2100m) will begin the club’s 2017-18 season on Friday, September 8 with TAB coverage.

Kempsey trainer Barry Ratcliff no doubt will be keen to “get square” with Hodge, as he has had to play second fiddle for the last two years.

RacingNSW asked him to step in, and both he and current vice-president Adrian Wood are the only survivors from that 2006 committee.

“The Cup has always been run earlier in the year on a Saturday, but RacingNSW gave us the opportunity for a Friday TAB meeting and thus we decided to switch the date,” TFJC president Garry McQuillan told FROM THE TRACK.

Butane, no longer a member of his team, was runner-up in 2015 when ridden by Melinda Graham, and also filled the same position last year, with Peter Graham aboard.

What the club has achieved in the ensuing years has been nothing short of remarkable.

“With much bigger prizemoney, we’re anticipating a really good Cup field. “As the Cup will now be run on the Friday date, we want to encourage local tradesmen to finish work a bit earlier and come out to the races. “It’s also an excellent opportunity for people from the Newcastle area to make a long weekend of it, starting with the race meeting.” It’s a fair bet Newcastle trainer Steve Hodge won’t need too much convincing to be trackside on September 8. Hodge is seeking a third Cup win in as many years, having prepared the last two winners. On both occasions, the race was worth $10,000.

The Cup starting point is at the top of the home straight, so racegoers will see the runners go past the winning post the first time around and then complete a full circuit of the superb 1800m circuit. The September 8 meeting heralds in a new racing year for the go-ahead Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club, which has further TAB meetings scheduled for Monday, December 11 and then Saturday, January 20 and Saturday, March 10 next year. The December fixture fittingly will be the club’s Xmas Party Raceday, whilst January 20 will be the popular Seafood Raceday and March 10 will be Ladies’ Day. The Cup meeting also will mark two years since Tuncurry Forster was granted its inaugural TAB date on Saturday, August 29, 2015.

Hodge scored in 2015 with Lucky Ima Cugat,

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Not only does Tuncurry boast a first-class racing surface, but their excellent promotion of race meetings continues to attract excellent crowds from both the district and other areas. These are crowds which many other country and provincial clubs would be thrilled to see at their meetings. Racegoers attending a Tuncurry meeting are always made feel welcome, and encouraged to return with McQuillan regularly shaking hands with patrons as they leave at the end of the day and thanking them for attending. Having now proved themselves capable of running a good race meeting, Tuncurry surely deserves more than only four TAB meetings annually. Staging a future Mid North Coast heat of the Country Championships series would definitely not be beyond them!

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FROM THE TRACK

the

PACE NEWCASTLE Paceway recently played host to two fantastic Saturday nights of harness racing on May 6 and 13.

Photo courtesy COFFEE PHOTOGRAPHY.

Both meetings attracted sizeable fields and excellent crowds witnessed very competitive racing. The May 6 program featured the club’s signature event, the Ross Gigg Memorial Newcastle Mile, and the always strong Newcastle Derby. In keeping with the ladies’ theme on May 13, the Newcastle Oaks for the “fillies” was the highlight on the track, whilst off the track the Conquering Cancer night featured a successful and important fund-raising function.

It was a successful carnival for trainer Craig Cross, who prepared the quinella in the FROM THE TRACK Newcastle Oaks. With Nathan Xuereb in the sulky, Olive Stride ($9.70) scored narrowly from stablemate Cherry Stride. Cross also landed the Somerset Meats Newcastle Derby, with $1.40 favourite Astride.

Newcastle Harness Racing Club chief executive Tony Drew was delighted with the overall success of the carnival.

Driver Anthony Butt took the hotpot to the front, and held out the Blake Fitzpatrick-trained Maxentius ($9.20).

“We had very pleasing crowd numbers on both nights, and the racing was really competitive,” Drew said.

The club’s special guest on Oaks night was Married At First Sight’s Nadia Stamp, who was extremely popular with racegoers.

The Group 3 AVE Technologies Ross Gigg Memorial Newcastle Mile continued to elude Hunter trainers.

Her gesture of donating her “appearance fee” to Conquering Cancer was greatly appreciated.

This year’s renewal went to Sydney trainer Darren McCall and his evergreen nine-year-old gelding Bettor Bet Black ($21.90), who clinched back-to-back victories. (pictured)

The Conquering Cancer function organised by FROM THE TRACK raised funds for the Calvary Mater Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary.

In similar fashion to last year, McCall led all the way on his pacer to record a half-neck win over the Michael Formosa-trained Ultimate Art ($8).

“This was a great success,” Tony Drew said. “Everyone dug deep for a fantastic cause and a total of just on $3000 was subsequently handed over to the Ladies’ Auxiliary.” - JACK MARSHALL

13 Ayreshire Crescent Sandgate

Phone 4960 2211 Supporting Newcastle Racing

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