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FAME TIME For Aquanita dan staeck Back from the Brink CHADDY Dodges Bullet Summer Racing Carnival Edition Proudly supporting racing owners & trainers for many years YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS

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PRESIDENT Harvey Crossman M: 0412 985 189 Contents E: [email protected] Presidents Welcome...... 2 VICE PRESIDENT Brenton Moore Lucky Shot - Owners Pain Free Day at Ascot...... 6 M: 0407 380 253 E: [email protected] Silver Service Luncheon ...... 9 TREASURER It’s Time - Aquanita...... 12 Peter Kerr M: 0431 239 764 Motive Travel Horse Racing Tours...... 20 E: [email protected]

Dainty and Tenacious...... 22 COMMITTEE Peter Anthonisz Veni Vidi Vici...... 28 M: 0405 042 861 E: [email protected] Back from the Brink - Dan Staeck...... 32 John Galluccio Regional Championship - The Road to Ascot...... 40 M: 0419 953 074 E: [email protected] ‘Slam’ Duncan at the Final Frontier...... 44 Brett Erceg Stars Celebrate at the 2016-17 WAROA Racing Awards...... 48 M: 0409 114 063 E: [email protected] Dodging A Bullet - Mark Chadwick...... 52 Jeff Bailey The Game is not the Same - Brad Lewis Reflects...... 58 M: 0401 105 495 E: [email protected] Rockingham Surf ‘n’ Turf...... 64 Ryan Hopkinson Liverpool’s Grey...... 68 M: 0413 460 902 E: [email protected] Q & A with Julio Santarelli and Dale Verhagen...... 73 Josh Hardy M: 0458 016 378 E: [email protected] Barry Rowe M: 0413 441 184 nerscircle E: [email protected] wiSUMMER 2017 n

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Darren McAullay M: 0425 305 685 E: [email protected]

LIFE MEMBERS Alf Hampton Judy Hammersley FAME TIME For Aquanita George Davies dAn sTAEck Back from the Brink Peter Lynch dodges Bullet cHAddY Denis Butko Toby Roney John Burt Summer Racing Harvey Crossman

Carnival Edition ContributorS • Darren McAullay • John Elsegood • Harvey Crossman • Robert Edwards Cover photo: Pat Carbery is • Jay Rooney • Taylor Courtland known as the ‘Diminutive • ANZ Bloodstock Dynamo’ for good reason. The experienced WA jockey Photos again produced his finest supplied by Western Racepix and exploits in the saddle to clinch Hollands Photographics another Group 1 Ascot success in the $million Kingston Town Classic for his great mate Editor trainer Alan Mathews. Darren McAullay Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 11 Welcome to our summer edition of Bart both sold on their behalf through Welcome the 2017 Winners Circle, featuring the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale highlights of the 2017 Ascot Summer ring. Racing Carnival and many of the successful social events hosted by this Cox Plate Draw Winner association throughout the year. Each year, as most of you would be aware, WAROA raffles a trip to the Cox Railway Stakes Victory Plate which is run at Moonee Valley. What a tremendous thrill it was for long To be eligible you must hold a current time WAROA members Frank and May WAROA membership. Edwards, to witness their courageous horse Great Shot display tremendous The lucky winner this year was Paul grit and fortitude to hold off five time Scott and to say he was surprised Group1 hero Black Heart Bart, in an epic to win is an understatement. What $Million James Boag’s Premium Railway made the trip even more special this Stakes. year, was that champion mare Winx was attempting to replicate Kingston The victory brought Great Shot’s stake Town’s record breaking effort of three earnings, together with bonuses, to consecutive Cox Plate victories. $1.2 million dollars. From 28 starts, the Message son of Magnus he has won on eight As we now know she did exactly that, occasions and been placed another although Humidor did fleetingly sent a from the eleven times. shockwave through the record crowd when he got within a long neck of the Purchased at the 2014 Magic Millions mighty mare near the line. Perth Sales for only $31,000, Great Shot President scored at his three-year-old debut at The Motive Travel donated winning Pinjarra back in December two years prize is for two people, so Paul invited ago. To claim one of the only three his long-time partner Kylie Howard to Group 1 races run in WA less than two join him witness this rare moment in years later is a magnificent achievement racing. and surely a dream come true for his owners. As you can appreciate the Winx factor alone was always going to make it a trip For hard working jockey Craig Staples, to remember, but the day for the couple who has ridden this horse in every one became even more memorable when of his race starts, barrier trials, and track Paul proposed to Kylie in the Celebrity work sessions, it was a just reward for Room at Moonee Valley. I’m pleased to his effort and belief in a horse to which say that it was a very happy ending all he has a sentimental attachment. It round, as the punters cheered Winx and was Staples second Group 1 triumph, then the future Mr.& Mrs. Scott. coming almost twenty years after his first, when he rode Bomber Bill to a Paul said he chose that particular comprehensive victory in the 1998 moment because “He mightn’t Karrakatta Plate. remember the date we got engaged, but I will certainly never forget the day I must mention also the efforts of thanks to Winx”. young trainer Rhys Radford who has trained Great Shot from day one. The WAROA would like to extend its best horse, earlier this year suffered a serious wishes to the two of them all the spinal injury and Rhys and his staff happiness in the world for their future worked tirelessly over many months to together. And Paul just for the record get him right. On the day he produced the date was October 28, 2017. Great Shot in ship shape condition and were justifiably repaid for their faith In conclusion, I would like to take this and patience with the gelding able to opportunity on behalf of my fellow produce a career best performance. committeeman and executive, to wish our members, WA racing industry Congratulations also should be participants and punters, an enjoyable extended to WAROA members David festive season and many winners in and Jeremy Smith of Scenic Lodge for 2018. breeding the quinella of WA’s toughest race, with Great Shot and Black Heart See you at the track soon.

2 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 33 THE LIFE CHANGERS

BLACK HEART BART MM CLASS OF 2012

2018 PERTH YEARLING SALE | 19-20 FEBRUARY

www.magicmillions.com.au

4 Winners Circle Summer 2017 THE LIFE CHANGERS

BLACK HEART BART MM CLASS OF 2012

2018 PERTH YEARLING SALE | 19-20 FEBRUARY

www.magicmillions.com.au

Winners Circle Summer 2017 5 Lucky Shot Owners Pain Free Day at Ascot

aking a shot at Group One glory Frank Edwards considers himself a lucky man. Lucky for buying 2017 $1 million Group One James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes winner, Great T Shot, and lucky for not selling him. Frank and his wife May, both retired anaesthetists, got into racehorse ownership around 20 years ago and have enjoyed cheering on the occasional winner, but Great Shot is definitely the pick of the bunch. “My grandfather was a trainer and both May and I have always loved horses, but paying the education for three kids doesn’t exactly give you a lot of wiggle room, so we had to put ownership on hold for a while,” Edwards explains. “We raced a couple of horses that won five races each, but certainly no black type winners among them.” All that would change though after Team Edwards attended the 2014 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale for a look at what was on offer, particularly any youngsters by Great Shot’s sire, Magnus. “He (Magnus) had a very good filly in Perth called Magnifisio that would go on to win that year’s (Group Injury plagued star Great Shot surges to the line under the vigour of jockey Craig Staples to win the Group 1 Railway Stakes One) Winterbottom Stakes, but a yearling by Magnus that went through the ring earlier in the day was out of our price range,” Edwards recalls. Edwards then had to decide where to send his recent acquisition and phoned jockey, Craig Staples, who had “Anyway, May and I were about to head home and as ridden a couple of horses for him previously. Staples we were leaving the auditorium, I heard the auctioneer supplied three names, including Warren Radford. selling a Magnus colt out of Satin Covers which, again, I thought would go for too much money as he was “I got along really well with Warren, but before Great a three quarter brother to a stakes winner (Gawne) Shot raced, Warren had decided to step back and let and his granddam was a Group One winner in Sydney his son, Rhys, take over the operation,” Edwards reveals. (Satin Sand).” “Warren said he’d still be involved and they gave me Somewhat fortuitously, bidding stalled on $28,000 the option to move the horse to another stable, but I and Edwards decided to shoot up the finger, despite was happy enough to leave him with Rhys.” only having seen the colt for the first time when he Rhys Radford, who trains a small team at Oakford, some was in the ring. Great Shot was ultimately knocked 30 minutes from Perth’s Ascot racecourse, remembers down to Edwards for $31,000. it well: “Frank and May actually placed three horses “When I had a good look at him, I noticed he had with the stable … two of them I could beat in a race, these swollen fetlocks - from Sesamoiditis - and when while the other was Great Shot,” Radford says with a I spoke to Scenic Lodge, who sold the colt, they told laugh. me the swelling would go down in a couple of days First stepping out as a December 3YO, Great Shot and they were spot on.” would win or place at his first eight outings, including

6 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Frank, and May actually placed three horses with Lucky Shot the stable...two of them I could beat in a race, while the other was Great Shot,, - Rhys Radford, Trainer

a four length romp in last year’s Listed Belmont Guineas. A black type first for Great Shot, a first for his owners and a first for his trainer. Not surprisingly, given the nature of the Owners May and Frank Edwards with young Group 1 winning trainer Rhys Radford victory, Edwards was soon fielding seven figure offers from Hong Kong and was faced with the age old dilemma … the money or the box? “I spoke to Warren (Radford) who said I should probably take it (the offer) and pay off the mortgage, “This is what you dream of … the Railway Stakes is my while I also called Craig (Staples), who asked me: ‘do favourite and was always the race I wanted to win in you need the money? Western Australia, but a Kingston Town wouldn’t go astray either!” The million dollars would allow you to buy more horses which means more rides for me, but what are While the Edwards’ and the Radfords had no conflict of the chances of getting another one like Great Shot?’ interest as to who to cheer home in the closing stages of the Railway, Scenic Lodge’s Jeremy Smith had a “So, we decided to keep him.” Wise move. Since the bit ‘each way’ given that the leading West Australian Belmont Guineas, Great Shot has won three other nursery bred both Great Shot and Black Heart Bart. stakes races and placed in nine black type events for a prizemoney tally of $1,204,785. Despite successive “Don’t ask me to pick,” Smith jokes. “Black Heart Bart stakes placings in October and getting nabbed right is by our resident stallion, Blackfriars, but Great Shot on the wire after leading throughout in the Group Two becomes the sixth individual Group One winner from Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m at Ascot just two weeks the farm after Bart, Scenic Blast, Playing God, Coniston earlier, Great Shot was sent out a $31 pick for the Bluebird and Gilded Venom.” 1600m Railway … much to the dismay of his trainer. Scenic Lodge had purchased Satin Covers, in foal to “I was really surprised they had him at that price. I Magnus, for $26,000 from the 2012 Magic Millions thought $15 at worst,” a bemused Radford points out. National Broodmare Sale, and Smith reveals that Great “He always gives his best this horse … you can never Shot was to be the mare’s final foal. write him off. He’s had a 5-time Group One winner in “Very disappointing … she had quite a few problems Black Heart Bart bearing down on him, as was Tom and no matter what we threw at her, she never Melbourne, but he just hung in there and was too produced another foal and was pensioned last year,” good for them on the day. Smith adds. “Fortunately, we have a More Than Ready “We’ll head to the Group One Magic Millions Kingston mare from Satin Covers, Sateen, who is on farm and Town Classic (over 1800m) at Ascot on 9 December has a lovely Blackfriars colt and was covered by our and while he’s likely to be up against Black Heart stallion, Snippetson, this spring. “Who knows … we Bart again and on level weights, he’s got to be a real might just get another Shot yet!” chance.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 7 8 Winners Circle Summer 2017 $250,000 Group 2 WAROA- Lee Steere Stakes - 1400m SILVERSTREAM 6YO Bay mare by Al Maher from Speedy Bell

Breeder: AD Mitchell & E & J Rae, NSW Owners: Peters Investments Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: R.J & Mrs. S.L Peters) Trainer: Adam Durrant Jockey: William Pike Silver Service LuncheonWinners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 99 1010 Winners Winners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 1111 With superstar mare Winx recently adding a record equaling third Cox Plate to her growing collection of prized silverware, the story of a onceIt missing’s CoxTime Plate won by former WA great Aquanita, has inexcusably been allowed With superstar mare Winx recently adding a record equaling third Cox Plate to to almosther growing collectionfade ofinto prized silverware, history the story alongof a once missing with Cox Plate the won by former WA great Aquanita, has inexcusably been allowed to almost fade champion’sinto history along remarkable with the champion’s remarkableracing racing achievements. achievements.

Robert Edwards reflects on the discovery of this Roberttarnished Edwards half century oldreflects silver on the discovery of plate and poses the question this tarnishedwhy this mighty halfchampion century old silver plate and Australian thoroughbred of posesa thepast era question has so far been why this mighty champion overlooked from being inducted Australianinto the Australian thoroughbred Racing Hall of a past era has so farof Fame.been overlooked from being inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

12 Winners Circle Summer 2017 With superstar mare Winx recently adding a Aquanita’s once coveted Cox Plate trophy could have Former leading WA trainer Ian Brown, the father of top been lost forever, if it were not for the keen eye of jockey Jason Brown, was Aquanita’s track rider and thoroughbred enthusiast Aaron Byers, who recognized strapper. the famous sterling silver plate that the WA star had record equaling third Cox Plate to her growing He believes the fact that Aquanita was non-studbook won back in 1962, while he was visiting the Perth has played a role in the apathy towards recognition home of Ian Tindale, uncle to his then fiancée Dianne for the great horse. He was sold at a yearling sale in Kenward in 2004. Claremont for 575 guineas. collection of prized silverware, the story of Tindale himself had virtually no interest in Such an outstanding individual and performer, thoroughbred racing and happily handed the trophy to Aquanita (by Wateringbury) should have had a ready- Byers and Kenward, who then set about restoring the made career at stud in normal circumstances but prized trophy back to near new condition. a once missing Cox Plate won by former WA unfortunately his dam Reinita was a non-studbook By coincidence Byers’ father Geoff had his smart three- mare and he was placed at a disadvantage with the year-old Beauzilla line-up two years later to contest the owners of high-class broodmares. It’s Time 2006 Aquanita Stakes with that famous 1962 Cox Plate Back in that era, non-studbook horses were ineligible to displayed to the public on the day at Ascot. Aaron Byers great Aquanita, has inexcusably been allowed run in the three-year-old classics. and Kenward were married a week before the race. In spite of this major setback, Aquanita sired a steady Unfortunately Beauzilla ran well back in the field after stream of winners, including two Karrakatta Plates, WA missing the start. Ironically the race was won by then Guineas and a Kalgoorlie Cup winner. However, he died to almost fade into history along with the up and coming three year old Scenic Shot, who would only a few years after commencing his stud career. later rise to become a star middle-distance galloper across Australia, which is what Aquanita achieved Aquanita showed promise as a two-year-old winning himself. twice and being placed second twice and third once at champion’s remarkable racing achievements. seven starts at Ascot. Kenward’s great aunty was Mrs William (nickname “Cop”) Thomas, a part owner of Aquanita. The Thomas’ He flourished as a three-year-old recording seven wins did not have children of their own and the Cox Plate from his eight starts, including his big wins against could have easily been lost forever, if not for Byers the older horses in the Railway Stakes, the Lee-Steere sharp eye. Stakes and the Easter Handicap. In many respects Aquanita has suffered a similar The great Reg ‘Chilli’ Treffone trained Aquanita for the Robert Edwards reflects on the discovery of fate to that of his Cox Plate as his outstanding Thomas’. Bill Thomas and his wife shared ownership deeds on the racetrack have never been with Bill’s cousin Jack in the horse. (Brown was with rightfully recognized on the national stage. Treffone for eight years as an apprentice) The Aquanita Stakes, for three-year-olds, At four years, Aquanita was transferred to Melbourne this tarnished half century old silver plate and has never had a distinguished profile on where he rose to be a dominant force in an era of top- the city racing calendar. It has remained a class gallopers, becoming the first sprinter-miler to win Listed race, shifted from winter to spring three feature races carrying the then substantial sum to autumn, back to winter to try to give of 10,000 pounds in prize money of the 1960 and 1961 poses the question why this mighty champion it some significance. The distances of the George Adams Handicap and the Doomben 10,000. Aquanita have been shifted as the club According to research done by WA Racehorse Owners tried to jostle it into some significance on Association President Harvey Crossman, Aquanita’s its annual program. Australian thoroughbred of a past era has success in ‘Principal Races’ would be the equivalent It’s worth noting that the first ever win today of 11 Group 1 races, two Group 2, one Group 3 recorded by the mighty Northerly, our and one Listed. state’s most highly decorated star of the Aquanita successfully mixed his sprinting and middle- track, was in the Aquanita Stakes (1400m) at so far been overlooked from being inducted distance program, strengthening his staying powers at Ascot in April, 2000. into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 13 With a guaranteed Race Naming , Advertising and Membership package retail value in excess of $3,000 ($1100 in premium hospitality for 8 alone) at a cost of only $1,100, you also have the chance of winning the naming rights for the $100,000 Mandurah Cup, CASH prizes totalling $3500 and advertising through our various avenues, including on the 105m2 BIG SCREEN on your allocated race day.

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14 Winners Circle Summer 2017 six years, when he ran a credible third of 26 runners to Retired Ascot trainer Ian Brown was Even Stevens in the 1962 Melbourne Cup. Aquanita’s track rider and strapper The run in the Melbourne Cup did not dim his acceleration powers, returning in the autumn to thrash a quality field at the Flemington mile in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. The Duke of Edinburgh was a race specially staged to coincide with the visit of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Flemington.

Short after this appearance Aquanita suffered an injury and was forced out of training. He subsequently never regained the same form in three unplaced starts as a seven-year-old. Aquanita was retired having graced the turf 70 times , for 28 wins, 10 seconds, and nine thirds for stakes of $121,852. Brown travelled across the Nullarbor with He was not an easy Aquanita on that road trip to Victoria. “A bloke called Don Hayes floated him across,” Brown horse at all to handle. said. “He was Colin Hayes’ brother but he got killed not long after that in a floating accident coming back from He very nearly killed Brisbane.” Brown himself was quite tall for an apprentice jockey old Roy Shaw and rode at seven stone 12lbs (about 50kg), but said , you needed to ride at seven stone 3lbs (46kg) to get enough rides to make a living back in that era. The “He was a very shy stallion minimum weight now is 54kg. “He wasn’t mare hungry at all.” Brown was not surprised to hear about the story of the Cox Plate! Shaw once described Aquanita as a “tigerish villain” to the Melbourne Press, but much harsher words would “They are all dead now,” Brown reflected. have been used in private. “The Thomas’ never had any kids of their own and old Brown said the float trip was broken up with Aquanita Jack Thomas had a paper shop down in Margaret River, spending time at Colin Hayes’ stables in South Australia, but he’s passed on also, so it doesn’t surprise me that it where he was given work at Semaphore Beach in (the Cox Plate) went missing for a while.” Adelaide. Brown loved Aquanita, but said he was a ‘loner’. “He got pretty big on the float and we worked him up “He was not an easy horse at all to handle,” he said. for about 10 days at the beach in Adelaide. “He very nearly killed old Roy Shaw once (Aquanita’s “Roy was giving him a good drilling to get the weight off Melbourne trainer). him, and then gave him his first start down the straight- “He was a buggar of a biter and when he bit, he did not six at Flemington but he went no good. let go. “He had two starts down the Flemington straight and “If you did anything with him you had to tie him up he just didn’t fire. short. “Anyhow he was unplaced at his first two starts and “That is how he died actually. Roy rang Reg (Treffone) and told him that the horse mightn’t be as good as they thought. “Paddy Rock had him at Melrose Stud in Gosnells. “Reg asked him what race he had him nominated to “That was Thomas’ stud property and he had him tied start Aquanita in next and he told him that it would be up with a bull-bit, but the old bugger hung back and the Toorak Handicap. broke his jaw. Sadly he had to be put down. “Reg told him to give him a soft run and he’d be right for “He wasn’t at stud long when that accident happened. the next start after the Toorak.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 15 Winners Circle Summer 2017 15 “I was pretty matey with a good rider called Alan Burton “Look he was always a pig to ride,” Brown said. “We were and asked him if he wanted to ride him in the Toorak. located on the other side of Great Eastern Highway in Epsom Avenue. “I told him he was having a soft run. “Even as a two-year-old it would take me a half hour to “Gabonia (stable-mate) was actually favourite for the walk him to the track. Toorak. “He’d walk along and he’d see something and you “We went to gallop at Caulfield on the Tuesday morning couldn’t get him to move once he was focused on it. and Roy (Higgins) said to Roy (trainer) that horse there (referring to Aquanita) is going to be no good for him “You couldn’t get him to move until he wanted to. to gallop with. “He was so smart ….he had the best forehead of any “I said to Roy you ride your own horse and let me ride horse that you have ever seen. mine. “He had a big white star and the widest gap between “He’ll give you something to think about! the eyes.” “We started to roll along at about the 1000m and The Victorian media labeled Aquanita as the “Drover’s Gabonia must have been standing him up four lengths. Pony” because he was non-stud book. “As we went around the corner I gave Aquanita two “Melbourne believed they had the elite horses and they around the arse and he just went whoosh! looked down on him as a crab,” Brown said. “The second time we went to Flemington I came down the hill to ride “Roy come back and said this horse can’t win the Toorak him down to the track. he went shithouse this morning. I never said a word.” “He would go to the track and it would take me half an Gabonia won the 1960 Toorak. hour to get him there. “Burton came back after Aquanita ran fourth to say that “Theo Lewis was one of the leading trainers in he could have shit in. Melbourne. “I told him he was running the next week, but he “He would drive his car to the track … it was one of couldn’t ride him because he was committed to Prince those big Yankee cars. Lee in the same race. “He would abuse me every morning because Aquanita Mel Schumacher rode the stallion and he romped home would stop in the middle of the road. by 3 ½ lengths in the Moonga Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. “This day I put him in the round yard to give him a roll. “He was dropped back from the mile to the straight-six “I couldn’t catch him because every time I went in he’d again at Flemington and was unplaced,” Brown said. “His chase me out! next start was in the George Adams and he was against “I’d picked him grass to try to get him to put his head Sky High and Mardene. over the fence so I could clip his head-collar. “Mardene was one of the best milers in Australia and “There was about 12 horses waiting to get in and Lewis Aquanita was about 33/1. came round and gave me a spray. “Thomas said to me; “What do you think?” and I said “I threw him the lead and said; “You get in and bloody “He’ll win”. catch him then!” “He got there with a bang and I had a pocket full of “He opened the gate and Aquanita flew at him, He shit money that night, I can tell ya!” himself,” Brown chuckled. Brown returned home after that win. Brown also reflected on the day Shaw was nearly killed “I was getting too heavy there doing no work and by Aquanita. decided to come home,” he said. “Aquanita went to the “He came back on the Friday afternoon and he’d had a paddock. few,” Brown said. “Roy had big boxes of about 24 (feet) “When he came back he won his first Doomben 10,000 by 24. (1961) plus more.” “I said I’ll get a head-collar and Roy said; “No, he’ll be all Brown said Herb Senior took the lead as his new right. strapper after he returned to Perth.

16 Winners Circle Summer 2017 16 Winners Circle Summer 2017 , He deserves to be in there, Northerly is in the Hall of Fame and Aquanita has done as much as him , It was a near fatal mistake. “He went up to pick up his hoof and Aquanita threw him straight into the corner of the box and stripped his stomach right round. “He was a dead set loner.” Melbourne scribes and fraternity were not the only ones to have misgivings about Aquanita’s ability. “Des Crowe broke him in and also rode him in his first Lightweight Sydney jockey Noel McGrowdie returns after winning on the WA Champion race,” Brown said. “He thought he was a slug…he said; “You can’t get him to go out of his own road.” “I said “He is too good looking to be no good and he’ll “I rode Rambler alongside of him. come right. “It had been raining and Aquanita had taken two strides “Queen of The May was the state’s best two-year-old out on to the track, whipped around and in an instant, and Nick August had backed her to win the Railway McGrowdie was in the mud. Stakes early. “Aquanita got away and trotted up to the mile and “One morning at the track they were looking for a horse cantered back. Everybody is trying to stop him and he to work with her because she was a gross filly. just dodged them. “Reg wanted Aquanita to work with her and Harry “He ran down to the winning post turned around and McLeod (jockey) could understand why.” came back. He just played with everyone. “Harry let her run along and was seven or eight lengths “The horses in those days they would tie-up to the back in front of me when I gave him one hit and he went of the stall. whoosh! Bill and Jack Thomas and McGrowdie are all standing “Harry was devastated. Aquanita won the Railway that there and when he they looked up Aquanita had got year.” away again. Aquanita worked at Ascot on the morning of his Railway “He walked around the other stalls to go out the gate. Stakes victory. They caught him just as he was about to walk out the gate fortunately.” Noel McGrowdie came across from NSW to ride Aquanita on 46kg. Brown is adamant that Aquanita should be in the Australian Hall Of Fame. “He got off the plane and Thomas drove him to the track,” Brown said. “Reg said to him; “He deserves to be in there,” Brown said “Northerly is in the Hall of Fame and Aquanita has done as much as him. “Come on son, you can ride this horse work. “I don’t believe you can compare horses from different “McGrowdie objected because he had only his suit eras, but he did race against the best and to win so pants on. many big races as he did, you don’t see it too often. “Reg told him to tuck his pants into his socks.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 17 Winners Circle Summer 2017 17 WHY YOU SHOULD BUY WHY YOU SHOULD BUY WHY YOU SHOULDELIGIBLE BUY IN 2018 WHY YOU SHOULDELIGIBLE BUY IN 2018 ELIGIBLE IN 2018 ELIGIBLE IN 2018

Westspeed is Western Australia’s Breeder and Owner incentive scheme, which has returned over Westspeed$50 million to is Owners Western & Australia’s Breeders inBreeder bonus andpayments Owner since incentive its in ceptionscheme, in which 1999. has returned over $50Westspeed million to eligibleis Owners Western horses & Australia’s Breeders born in theinBreeder bonus 2016 andbreedingpayments Owner season since incentive itswill in be ceptionscheme, eligible in which to1999. be ownerhas returned nominated over by$50Westspeed their million buyer/s to is Owners Western for the &Westspeed Australia’s Breeders inBreederscheme bonus inandpayments mid Owner 2018. since incentiveYearlings its in ception scheme,sired by in Westspeedwhich 1999. has returned Platinum over $50Westspeed million to eligible Owners horses & Breeders born in thein bonus 2016 breedingpayments season since itswill in beception eligible in to1999. be owner nominated byWestspeednominated their buyer/s Stallions eligible for the horseswill Westspeed also born be automatically in thescheme 2016 inbreeding eligible mid 2018. forseason PlatinumYearlings will be Statussired eligi byble at Westspeed noto be extra owner cost Platinum nominated to the byWestspeednominatedowners. their buyer/s Stallions eligible for the horseswill Westspeed also born be automatically in thescheme 2016 inbreeding eligible mid 2018. forseason PlatinumYearlings will be Statussired eligi byble at Westspeed noto be extra owner cost Platinum nominated to the byowners.Thenominated their lucrative buyer/s Stallions inclusion for the will Westspeed ofalso Westspeed be automatically scheme Platinum in eligible mid sees 2018. for an PlatinumYearlings additional Statussired $15,000 by at Westspeed no bonus extra paidcost Platinum to the ownersowners.nominated of theStallions eligible will horse also befor automaticallyevery Tier 1 win. eligible for Platinum Status at no extra cost to the owners.The lucrative inclusion of Westspeed Platinum sees an additional $15,000 bonus paid to the ownersThatThe lucrativetakes of the total inclusion eligible breeder/owner horse of Westspeed for paymentevery TierPlatinum of 1 up win. to sees$42,500 an additional for each Saturday $15,000 bonuswin. paid to the ownersThe lucrative of the inclusion eligible horse of Westspeed for every TierPlatinum 1 win. sees an additional $15,000 bonus paid to the ownersThat takes of the total eligible breeder/owner horse for paymentevery Tier of 1 up win. to $42,500 for each Saturday win. That takes total breeder/owner payment of up to $42,500 for each Saturday win. That takes totalWestspeed breeder/owner Bonus Schedule payment for of2016 up foalsto $42,500 (Foals purchased for each Saturdayat a 2018 yearlingwin. sale) Westspeed Stan- Westspeed Westspeed WestspeedAdvertised Bonus Race Schedule Breeder's for 2016 foals (Foals purchased at a 2018 yearling sale) Bonus Level Westspeed Bonus Schedule for 2016 foals (Foalsdard purchased at a 2018Extra yearling sale)Platinum Stake Bonus Westspeed Stan- Westspeed Westspeed Advertised Race Breeder's Owner Bonus Owner Bonus Owner Bonus Bonus Level Westspeed Bonus Schedule for 2016 foalsWestspeed (Foalsdard purchased Stan- at Westspeeda 2018Extra yearling sale)WestspeedPlatinum AdvertisedStake Race Breeder'sBonus TierBonus 1 Level $50,000 - $100,000 $5,000 WestspeedOwner$15,000dard Bonus Stan- OwnerWestspeed$22,500Extra Bonus OwnerWestspeed+Platinum $15,000 Bonus AdvertisedStake Race Breeder'sBonus Bonus Level Ownerdard Bonus OwnerExtra Bonus OwnerPlatinum Bonus Tier 21 $19,000$50,000Stake - $49,999$100,000 $2,500$5,000Bonus $15,000$7,500 $22,500$7,500 + $15,000 Tier 1 $50,000 - $100,000 $5,000 Owner$15,000 Bonus Owner$22,500 Bonus Owner+ $15,000 Bonus Tier 32 $14,000$19,000 - $18,999$49,999 $1,250$2,500 $3,750$7,500 $3,750$7,500 Tier 21 $19,000$50,000 - $49,999$100,000 $2,500$5,000 $15,000$7,500 $22,500$7,500 + $15,000 Tier 43 <$14,000 $14,000 - $18,999 $1,250$625 $1,875$3,750 $1,875$3,750 SeeTier www.westspeed.com.au 32 $14,000$19,000 - $18,999$49,999 for full scheme$1,250$2,500 conditions. $3,750$7,500 $3,750$7,500 Tier 4 < $14,000 $625 $1,875 $1,875 Tier 3 $14,000 - $18,999 $1,250 $3,750 $3,750 SeeTier www.westspeed.com.au 4 < $14,000 for full scheme$625 conditions. $1,875 $1,875 SeeTier www.westspeed.com.au 4 < $14,000 for full scheme$625 conditions. $1,875 $1,875 See www.westspeed.com.au for full scheme conditions. HAVE YOU EVER WISHED HAVEOF RACING YOU EVER A HORSE WISHED LIKE HAVE YOU EVER WISHED OFDAINTY RACING TESS? A HORSE LIKE OFHAVE RACING YOU EVER A HORSE WISHED LIKE DAINTY TESS? DAINTYOFBuy WestspeedRACING TESS? eligible A HORSE lots now LIKE to make DAINTYBuythe most Westspeed of Australia’sTESS? eligible most lots nowlucrative to make theBuybreeding most Westspeed of& racingAustralia’s eligible incentive most lots scheme.nowlucrative to make breedingDaintytheBuy most Westspeed Tess of& racing Australia’s(War eligible Chant incentive most lots(USA) scheme.nowlucrative – toClassic make Smile):breedingthe most Official of& racingAustralia’s Westspeed incentive most scheme.lucrativeEarnings breedingDainty Tess & racing (War Chant incentive (USA) scheme. – Classic Smile):DaintyRecord Tess OfficialHolder. (War WestspeedChant (USA) Earnings – Classic RecordTotalSmile):Dainty Stakes Tess OfficialHolder. (War $447,600 WestspeedChant Total (USA) BonusesEarnings – Classic $202,500.RecordSmile): OfficialHolder. Total EarningsWestspeed $650,100 Earnings RecordTotal Stakes Holder. $447,600 Total Bonuses $202,500.Total Stakes Total $447,600 Earnings Total $650,100 Bonuses $202,500.Total Stakes Total $447,600 Earnings Total $650,100 Bonuses $202,500. Total Earnings $650,100 18 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Ian Brown and his late father-in-law Reg Treffone - trainer of Aquanita

“Because he was non-studbook, people didn’t want to look at him. It did matter how good he looked or ROLL CALL OF A WA CHAMPION what he did. “I will tell you one thing when Colin Hayes laid his eyes Black type races won by Aquanita during his career and the total of winning stakes based on the stakes paid at the on him in Adelaide, he tried to buy the horse. last running of the race, with the exception of the Easter “Thomas rang me and asked my opinion and I said; Handicap which is no longer run in WA. “No way.” RACE RECORD 70 STARTS FOR 28 WINS, “He was as sound as a bell until he ran in the 11 SECONDS, 8 THIRDS Melbourne Cup. GROUP 1 “He did a ligament. Railway Stakes $627,900 Cantala Stakes Twice (Now Kennedy Mile) “He should have started in the Caulfield Cup that year, $602,500 but it rained heavily and he was scratched on the $602,500 morning. Doomben 10000 $456,000 Underwood Stakes (Twice) $302,000 “He was the top-weight and favourite. $302,000 Futurity Stakes $302,000 Parochialism aside, in assessing some of the great Craiglee Stakes $302,000 champions of the past which have been so far Turnbull Stakes $302,000 inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, WS Cox Plate $1,850,000 Aquanita won more Group 1 races throughout his MacKinnon Stakes $1,205,000 career than Gloaming, Sydeston, Octagonal, Leilani, Light Fingers, Heroic, High Caste, Gunsynd, Vain and GROUP 2 Lee-Steere Stakes $152,000 Super Impose. Alister Clark Stakes $121,000 Whilst race records alone aren’t the only criteria for GROUP 3 induction, it obviously plays an integral part of the WJ Healy Stakes $112,000 overall worthiness for a horse to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and in this instance, LISTED Aquanita compares more than favourably with most. Easter Handicap $ 60,000

There are currently just two WA horses which have This race is no longer run. $60,000 is the minimum been inducted into this national racing hall of fame – winning stake for a Listed Race in WA Eurythmic and Northerly – surely it’s time for another to be considered. TOTAL PRIZE EARNINGS $6,854,400

Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 1919 forFor the the best best inin horse horse racing racing tours tours Dubai World Cup Royal Ascot Tour Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

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As the reigning Westspeed Bonus prizemoney record holder, highly popular mare Dainty Tess is one of those gallopers that is not just adored by her many owners, but also by those punter’s who love nothing more than backing a horse they can be assured will always give them a run for their hard earned.

22 Winners Circle Summer 2017 DAINTY TENACIOUS

Dainty Tess (Chris Parnham) captures her first major black type win in the Group 3 Prince of Wales Stakes at Ascot last month

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24 Winners Circle Summer 2017 The four-year-old daughter of War Chant has started 28 Railway Stakes winner Great Shot in the Listed Pinjarra times for 10 wins and 13 places, and rarely finished further Classic, Listed Bunbury Stakes and the Listed Grandstand back than fifth throughout her career. The most recent of Cup. Great Shot did manage to exact some revenge when those unplaced efforts was in the Group 1 Winterbottom they clashed in the Listed Old Comrade Stakes late in the Stakes, in which she finished 7th to star Adelaide mare season. Vidorra, but like always, she wasn’t disgraced. Hewitt has raced over 20 gallopers with Morton and Dainty Tess’s racing statistics reveal that at each of her is exactly the type of owner racing needs –young, race track appearances, she has not only earned her many committed and a long-term future in the thoroughbred owners a sizeable cheque, but only missed out five times industry. giving each-way punters what they’d hoped for with their Surprisingly, Hewitt declared his Oradol, the winner of investments. four races as his favourite horse, “She was pretty similar to Tim Hewitt is a member of the 20 owner syndicate that (Dainty)Tess, in that she always gave it 100 per cent, was proudly cheer the tenacious Dan Morton trained galloper really tough and just didn’t run a bad race. She is now a each time she graces the turf. He said the still small looking broodmare at Gray and Jan Williamson’s Mungrup Stud.” mare had been originally passed in at the Magic Millions Cadenza, a Magic Millions Classic winner, has provide Yearling Sale because of her diminutive stature. him with other fond memories along with the Stephen ‘’Eventually Danny (Morton) put her up on his website and Miller trained Trustee Brown, who posted seven wins and she was sold for $30,000,” Hewitt recalled. as many seconds with Troy Turner in the saddle on every occassion. Hewitt said the Winterbottom Stakes attempt was a guide to whether Dainty Tess was potentially up to the class Promising but flighty filly Sophia’s Secret has to date won of competing in Melbourne during the rich Victorian two of her four starts and hopefully will create more joy Autumn carnival. in the Hewitt household, despite the disappointment of seeing her scratched at the barrier before the Group 3 As a shareholder in numerous horses prepared by Morton, WA Champion Fillies and then again prior to the running the Canning Vale butcher said he and his wife Skye who is involved with the all female group which race star performer Man Booker, were living out their dream. Man Booker, the 2015 WA Guineas winning hero has won 8 of his 17 starts and almost $700,00 in stake- earnings despite encountering a few injury setbacks. Earlier this year he defeated the recent Group 1

DAINTY AND DELIGHTED: Some of the proud co-owners of Dainty Tess after her richly deserved Group 3 winning performance

“We’ve Got You Covered”

Winners Circle Summer 2017 25 SPORTS DAILY

TABradio, Western Australia’s home of Racing and Sport, is proud to announce a new look line up on breakfast radio. Gareth Hall, Steve Butler, Wes Cameron, Darren McAullay, Digby Beacham, Gareth Hall, DarrenBrittany McAullay, Taylor Steve andButler Tim and WalkerWes Cameron combine combine to toform form aa well-recognized, well-credentialed team to host The Sports Daily. well-recognized, well-credentialed team on The Sports Daily. The SportsWestern Daily will Australia’s represent Besta new and chapter Most for Informative TABradio with Sporting a resulting Breakfast. change in content, talent and listener engagement. The Sports Daily 6am-9am Monday to Friday. of the Group 2 WA Guineas on November 25, after she refused to be loaded.

The breeding aspect of the industry is also attracting Hewitt’s interest with Sagredo, the first youngster of the mare Black Habit, to make the track for the Morton and Hewitt families.

Hewitt described Dan Morton as one of his closest mates. Dainty Tess was bred at Pingelly, by Alan and Aaron Morton, the uncle and cousin of the trainer.

The Hewitt-Morton connection is further consolidated with Skye’s sister, Misty, having also married into the family.

Both Dan, and his father Len, a retired leading trainer, are equally enthusiastic about Pingelly - a farm area normally associated with wheat and sheep rather than horses.

Certainly, as an owner Hewitt’s ‘got away to an absolute flyer.’ His first horse, the Morton bred, Cheval Roi, won at its first race start back in 2009, at Belmont. The gelding stormed home from sixth on the turn to win by a head over Against the Sky. It doesn’t get much better than that for a novice owner. Perth racing director and part-owner of Dainty Tess Also in the Dainty Tess circle of owners are Danielle Pratt Paula Sullivan with trainer Danny Morton and Paula Sullivan.

The daughter of a former owner-trainer, Lance Langford, Reflecting on Great Shot’s fighting Railway Stakes victory, Danielle had been exposed to racing as a young girl and Danielle admits to shedding a tear, mindful of some of the yearned to again be involved. stirring clashes Man Booker had with the tenacious Rhys In 2015, Danielle, a grade two primary teacher received an Radford trained Group 1 winner. ownership share in Dainty Tess as a birthday present from “Hopefully next year we can emulate a worthy opponent,” her husband Geoff, the son of long-time Sunday Times she said. racing writer, the late Neville Prattt, the predecessor to your erstwhile current scribe. Paula Sullivan, a lawyer and Director on the board of Perth Racing, said she became involved with Dainty Tess “Geoff constantly reminds me of his skill in selecting because she loved War Chant stock, her success racing Dainty Tess for me, but I know he looked at Dan Morton’s Cadenza and her liking for trainer Dan Morton. list and picked the cheapest,” she quipped. “I was planning on going into the Dainty Tess group and Like Tim Hewitt, Danielle has enjoyed success with a conversation with Danielle, cemented that conviction. gallopers, Cadenza, Man Booker and also Moet Me. SPORTS DAILY I love Tess and she is the best horse I have raced, but “Geoff used to be the voice of reason, but now I’m buying Cadenza, my first horse, is still my favourite,” she said. horses galore and have shares in about 20,” she laughed. With shares in 13 horses Paula is also the modern face TABradio, Western Australia’s home of Racing and Sport, is proud to announce a new look line Including with him though, it should be added! up on breakfast radio. of racing –a young professional, involved for 18 years, Danielle’s is already claiming credit for a spike in Perth including a recent connection with trainers Ben and Gareth Hall, Darren McAullay, Steve Butler and Wes Cameron combine to form a well-recognized, Racing Membership in the next 10-15 years. “According Daniel Pearce. to many parents my Grade 2’s are all reading form guides well-credentialed team to host The Sports Daily. “I have always raced horses in WA and always will, and watching races on television.” although I now also have a couple involved with Eastern The Sports Daily will represent a new chapter for TABradio with a resulting change in content, Danielle’s passion for racing led her daughter Ella (10) to States trainers,” she said. talent and listener engagement. ask, “Mum, do you love the horses more than me?” WA racing always has room for more of the Hewitt’s, Pratt’s “Depends on which horse?” Danielle replied. (Neville and Sullivan’s of the world – passionate owners who love would have loved that humorous retort). the industry and their horses in equal measure.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 27 They Came, They Saw, They Conquered ASCOT

1,000,000 Group1 James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes – 1600m GREAT SHOT 5YO Bay gelding by Magnus from Satin Covers

Breeder: Scenic Lodge Thoroughbred Stud, WA Owners: Dr Frank & Mrs Mae Edwards Trainer: Rhys Radford Jockey: Craig Staples

$ 1,000,000 Group 1 Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes – 1200m VIDDORA 5YO Bay mare by I Am Invincible from Snow Flight

Breeder: Riva Ridge Stud, SA Owners: Lloyd Kennewell, C J Cooke, M Adami, Dr E T Hodgson, Mrs J Bowditch, Blue Hills Syndicate(Mgr: G J Matheson) F & Mrs G L Fitzgibbon, R Williamson, J B Kaufman, N J E Lovett, M L Simpson, D & Mrs K Rogers, S & Mrs M Ferguson Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell Jockey: Joe Bowditch

$ 1,000,000 Group 1 Kingston Town Classic -1800m POUNAMU 6YO Grey Gelding by Authorized (IRE) from Tangiwai

Breeder: Mr JL Thompson, NSW Owners: Thommo’S Syndicate (Mgr: J L Thompson) Mrs PM, Ms RC & Ms AJ Thompson & G Hilton Trainer: Alan Mathews Jockey: Patrick Carbery

28 Winners Circle Summer 2017 They Came, They Saw, They Conquered ASCOT

$500,000 Group 2 Sky Racing WA Guineas - 1600m PERFECT JEWEL 3YO Bay Filly by Redoute’s Choice from Star Encounter

Breeder: Peters Investments Pty Ltd, WA Owners: Peters Investments Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: R.J & Mrs. S.L Peters) Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams Jockey: William Pike

$250,000 Group 2 WAROA-Lee Steere Stakes - 1400m SILVERSTREAM 6YO Bay mare by Al Maher from Speedy Bell

Breeder: AD Mitchell & E & J Rae, NSW Owners: Peters Investments Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: R.J & Mrs. S.L Peters) Trainer: Adam Durrant Jockey: William Pike

$100,000 Listed TAB Touch Lee-Steere Classic - 1400m WAR ROOM 3YO Brown Gelding by War Chant from Impressing Matters

Breeder: Kingston Thoroughbreds, Westbell Holdings Pty Ltd. Owners: Impressive Racing Pty Ltd. (Mgr: K.S. Berry), Shepherd Group Pty Ltd. (Mgr: K.A. Shepherd, G. Ronayne & M.C. Annakin Trainer: Darren McAuliffe Jockey: Lee Newman $150,000 Group 3 Prince of Wales Stakes - 1200m DAINTY TESS 4YO Bay bay/brown mare by War Chant (USA) from Classic Smile Breeder: Mr A Morton, WA Owners: Mrs CL Morton, FF Fairthorne (Jnr.), Mrs R & BM Niall, PJ Mitchinson, CR Hague, Mrs DN & GB S Pratt, TA & Mrs S Hewitt, Ms J Beggs, Ms P Sullivan, AD Ryan, MG Burrows, IK Russell, B Franklin, EW & Ms PM Gibb, L Torpy & A Hayden Trainer: Dan Morton Jockey: Chris Parnham

$150,000 Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes 1400m POUNAMU 6YO Grey Gelding by Authorized (IRE) from Tangiwai

Breeder: Mr JL Thompson, NSW Owners: Thommo’S Syndicate (Mgr: J L Thompson) Mrs PM, Ms RC & Ms AJ Thompson & G Hilton Trainer: Alan Mathews Jockey: Patrick Carbery

$150,000 Group 3 Breast Cancer Care WA Colonel Reeves Stakes 1100m STATE SOLICITOR 4YO Gelding by Nicconi from Avenida Madero

Breeder: Peters Investments Pty Ltd, WA Owners: Peters Investments Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: R.J & Mrs S.L Peters) Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams Jockey: William Pike

30 Winners Circle Summer 2017 $150,000 Group 3 R.J. PETERS STAKES - 1500m PROPERANTES 6YO Brown Gelding by Danehill Express from Scala’s Quest

Breeder: Mungrup Stud, WA Owners: Colin Webster, PJ Dinnison, Mrs MA Princi & AN Torre Trainer: Colin Webster Jockey: Peter Knuckey

$200,000 Group 3 WA CHAMPION FILLIES STAKES - 1600m ART SERIES 3YO Bay Filly by Sebring from Left Alone

Breeder: Mr Jake Anthonisz WA Owners: Impressive Racing Pty Ltd(Mgr: K S Berry) J D, Mrs E L & P D Anthonisz, A C Mc Grath, K Phoenix, A C Ritchie, Mrs J L Havilah-Burt, G J Burt, C Harms, D J Schembri, R A Mc Kenzie & D M Green Trainer: Darren McAuliffe Jockey: Joe Azzopardi

$150,000 Group 3 NORTHERLY STAKES - 1400m SILVERSTREAM 6YO Bay mare by Al Maher from Speedy Bell

Breeder: AD Mitchell & E & J Rae, NSW Owners: Peters Investments Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: R.J & Mrs. S.L Peters) Trainer: Adam Durrant Jockey: Chris Parnham

Winners Circle Summer 2017 31 Back from the Brink Diamond Dan back to his Best

Dan Staeck celebrates his memorable first Group 1 win aboard Mr Moet in the 2012 Railway Stakes.

32 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Back from the Brink writer Robert Edwards

It isn’t desirable, but it’s far from being the end of the road either for jockeys who fall foul of the authorities for serious breaches of racing’s rules. In fact a stint in the ‘sin bin’ for some can be a time to contemplate and rebuild careers.

Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 3333 34 Winners Circle Summer 2017 So it has been for talented jockey Daniel Staeck. He was banned for a second time, for nine months in May 2015, over a breach of racing’s stringent drug rules, enrolled as a student to complete his 11th and 12th year studies at Canning College and set about rekindling his deep passion for surfing.

Some may suggest that Staeck’s ‘second coming’ has all been about redemption, which in part may be right. But it has also been as much about challenging himself personally to become the person, the man, he only ever sought to be.

Staeck may have scaled some of racing’s loftier peaks throughout his career, but it’s been from the far less glamorous surroundings he has had to start his climb back to where he belongs. It started in an IGA store where he worked in the fresh fruit and vegetables department ensuring the trays were kept stocked for customers to select their produce.

His hours of work from waking up at 3.30am six days a week to ride track-work were replaced by more regular and far less demanding hours of duty. For the first time Well done Staeck: Leading trainer Adam Durrant sharing a Staeck, who had lived his working life in the fish bowl of touching moment with Dan after their Railway Stakes to remember the racing industry, began to enjoy life on the outside. ,

To the stores customers, staff colleagues and his university classmates, Staeck was just another ‘bloke’, not a leading I was not going to jockey. His past exploits in the saddle meant little or nothing to most of them. return to riding until “One of the interesting things I found working in the fruit ‘n’ veg department, something I’d never done before, was I was confident the array of different people you met from all walks of life.” Staeck said with a chuckle. that I could ride “When you are riding you don’t mix with that wide a range of people. at my best., “Most people didn’t know I was a jockey in the past but there were a few who did. “Maths was my strongest subject and all the maths I learnt Staeck continued; “going back to school was extremely I applied to the chemistry and physics. challenging. “Extra tuition was required because I knew I would “More than 20 years had passed since I had studied and struggle. there was more work involved than I had bargained on. “The studying gave me the building blocks I needed to “But I wanted to challenge myself and also to keep myself rebuild my life and do what I needed to do get my life as occupied as I could while I dealt with my life, learning a back to where I wanted to be, and that was back race bit more about myself from the experience.” riding.”

Staeck did not take the soft option in his studies Staeck, 38, admitted he had lost his desire to be a jockey undertaking the challenging core subjects of well before the stewards banned him. mathematics, chemistry and physics at Canning College. “There was little motivation to be a jockey,” Staeck said. He took on further higher education at Curtin University, “But my time outside of racing made me realise how lucky studying communication and foundation in physics. I was to be able to do the job that I do as a jockey.”

Winners Circle Summer 2017 35 Staeck was determined to comeback better and stronger. to Albany where he worked for trainer Garry Delane as a stable-hand and work rider. “I was not going to return to riding until I was confident that I could ride at my best.” “I knew that I still had years of riding left in me, and I was determined to make the most of those years,” Staeck said. But amid the soul searching, Staeck had the personal hardship of a career left in limbo and a family anxiously “Going to Albany and working for Garry was a positive waiting. way to get my career on track.

“I had received a disqualification,” Staeck said. “I was “Working for Garry for two months was really physical and embarrassed by it and I had embarrassed my family. hard work.

“I had brought the racing industry into disrepute. “He didn’t have anybody else there and I was a stable- hand and rider. Riding between 7 to 14 horses a morning “It was the second time it had happened. and then doing stable work gave me the physical strength “I didn’t make the right changes the first time and I I needed to be able to ride well.” promised myself that this time I would not return to race Staeck, who came from a non-racing background, rode riding until I had turned around my life. his first winner back as a jockey on Qingdao on Boxing “I had people at different times who were helpful, but I did Day at Albany last year. Qingdao was prepared by local most of it of my own accord. trainer Paul Hunter.

“I had to do it for myself. “I started off riding about 56kg in the country and was doing that quite easily. “I accept it now that it was part of my life and where I was at, at that time.” “For me that first winner was the start of my new beginning. Staeck armed with a fresh air of confidence set about taking the next big step to return to riding. He went down

A VERY GOOD FRIDAY: Dan Staeck guides Deballatio home to victory early this year in the Group 3 WA Sires Produce Stakes at Ascot

36 Winners Circle Summer 2017 “I wasn’t going to be satisfied with just one winner.”

After 11 months back in the saddle, Staeck had ridden in well over 550 races for 78 wins, 72 seconds and 58 thirds for a winning strike rate of 14 percent and place rate of 38%.

He rode up to four winners on a card at Esperance and was crowned the leading rider at Kalgoorlie for the 2017 season with 26 wins.

The winning rider of the Railway Stakes, WATC Derby, Karrakatta Plate, four Kalgoorlie Cups and three Bunbury Cups also rode reigning WA Horse of the Year Scales Of Justice to win the Hyperion and Strickland stakes at Belmont Park in June and July. Other major wins were for Fred Kersley aboard Divine Calling and Debellatio.

Staeck said his decision to ride in Kalgoorlie was brought about by his interest to guide the career of his step-son Fred Kersley Jnr, who won the leading apprentice title in Kalgoorlie with 14 wins.

“I have taken a massive interest at being part of my son’s progress and development,” Staeck said. “He and I were going to Kalgoorlie every Sunday.

“We fed off each-other’s confidence.

“I got my satisfaction from watching Fred develop as a rider and to be part of that development. SPOILS OF VICTORY: Dan receiving his Sires Stakes trophy from Perth Racing Director Peter Gangemi “That has been the most satisfying thing that has happened in my life for a long time, to be able to ride alongside him.” (he was his apprentice), Phil Humann, Ray Sweetman, Adam Durrant and Lindsey Smith over the years. Staeck also has an 11-year-old daughter, Sienna, with his long-time partner Kellie Kersley. Staeck has trimmed himself down to ride at 55kg and can handle riding at 54kg when required. “It was hard during the time I wasn’t riding because I was actually living alone,” Staeck said. “I am happy with my weight,” Staeck said. “I do a lot of track-work and have a home gym where I keep myself fit. “It was a personal choice, but I felt I had to be alone to do what I needed to do. “In my spare time I really love to go surfing.

“There were a lot of difficult things I was dealing with at “I grew up and matured as an adult during my time away. that time. “ I think I can now identify people who are detrimental to “I was quite depressed and to my thinking I was doing my my cause. family a favour by not being around.” “I grew up very quickly from being an apprentice to Staeck has cherished having his time back at home with become a jockey, but never learnt many life skills. his family. “I had no idea (as an apprentice) of stranger danger. “Over the past six months I have put a lot of time into what “I’ve also learnt that there’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained Fred is doing,” he said. “He has this infectious and lovable from the small everyday things, that I once wouldn’t have character and amazing ability as a jockey. even noticed. “I am looking forward to seeing what he does with that. “The satisfaction I get from what my children and others Staeck has forged strong alliances with such leading achieve is most pleasing – I’m not depressed and I’m not trainers as Fred’s grandfather Fred Kersley Snr, Lou Luciani unhappy anymore. I’m just very happy to be here”

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Winners Circle Summer 2017 39 Regional Championship The Road to Ascot For former Geelong captain and WA Football Hall of Famer Mark Bairst ow, winning the Regional Championship with Niccatrice earlier this month, was equivalent to almost winning that AFL Grand Fin al – a moment that eluded him in 1992 and 1994.

The 54 year-old champion Cats on-baller, was overcome Bairstow, as tears welled in his eyes “I bought him as a with emotion when TABRadio’s Gareth Hall started to yearling and him winning this race means a lot to me. interview Bairstow shortly after Niccatrice’s surging victory “I said all along he would win this race. at Ascot on Winterbottom Stakes day. “I had been that confident all week. As a farming boy from Lake Grace (also the home of Brownlow Medalist Nat Fyfe), who played WA country “I have put a lot of time into this horse to get him back football, WAFL and VFL/AFL, it was a dream come true. going as good as he is. Niccatrice is part-owned by Bairstow and his two sons “I bought him in a Melbourne yearling sale for $50,000 Toby and Dylan, along with several clients from Bunbury, even though I had no money. where he eventually settled after retiring from football at “I think I’ve trained four of five of his relations and it is just the end of the 1994 season and starting his training career so great to have him back firing.” in Victoria. Niccatrice defied a blow out in betting from $15 out to Bairstow, who won the 1997 Group3 Easter Cup and 1998 $21, to run past the $3.80 favourite River Dance, winning Kilmore Cup with True Identity, was bursting with pride by a long-neck, with a margin of a length back to the third- for the courage of his diminutive sprinter Niccatrice to placed Russian River ($19). bounce back from adversity and score his third straight victory (after wins at Mt Barker and York) and first at Ascot Niccatrice has now earned $200,950 in stakes from his 10 in the Championship. wins and additional 11 placing’s from his 50 career starts. “Geez, I’d won a Group 3 race in Melbourne, but I have The six-year-old son of Nicconi is from the Iglesia mare gained greater satisfaction from this horse’s win,” said Egatrice. Bairstow prepared Egatrice at her initial campaign. He also trained Jugahtrice, who won the Listed Barton Stakes at Caulfield and Bairnsdale Cup in Victoria, before winning in WA. The son of Jugah from Egatrice’s dam Donvertrice won $324,215 from his 13 wins and 17 placing’s at 56 starts. Bairstow also prepared other family members Just Hoping (Eternity

COUNTRY STARS: Niccatrice (Glen Smith) overpowers River Dance (Damian Oliver) on The Road to Ascot Regional Championship

40 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Regional Championship

The Road to Ascot Writer Robert Edwards

For former Geelong captain and WA Football Hall of Famer Mark Bairst ow, winning the Regional Championship with Niccatrice Trainer Mark Bairstow and RWWA Board Member earlier this month, was equivalent to almost winning that AFL Grand Fin al – a moment that eluded him in 1992 and 1994. Anthony Hasluck

Range-Justatrice), Del’s Echo (Rubiton-Donvertrice) and “He is a horse with problems and you don’t stop Nippering (Husson Lightning-Del’s Echo). completely. “I prepared Egatrice for her initial campaign until they took “Dylan did a little light stuff with him to keep him going.” her off me,” Bairstow said. The past few weeks have been very good to Bairstow, with “I trained for David Yaxley in Victoria and was going really his grey galloper Special Delivery winning twice at Ascot good for a while and he owned Sydeston. and Northam during November. “He was a great racehorse and Niccatrice is from the Bairstow paid $15,000 for Special Delivery, who was sold Sydeston family. by Bob and Sandra Peters at the Perth Winter Sale at “He won the Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Sandown cups Belmont Park in June. and a heap of other big races. “He has had a few niggling problems too and we are just “He raced in the pink and blue colours, similar to Keith starting to get over them, Bairstow said. Biggs (leading WA owner and breeder). Niccatrice’s jockey Glenn Smith boasts an enviable record “I was training a lot of winners for David for a while.” in the Championship with an unblemished record. He shared winning honours with Peter Hall on Granlarado in Sydeston, is regarded as one of the best gallopers to the inaugural Championship last year. emerge out of Tasmania, winning a Caulfield Cup, Caulfield Stakes, BMW International and a Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The Regional Championship series is a joint project by Racing and Wagering WA and Perth Racing and was run Sydeston also ran second to Better Loosen Up and third to for the first time in 2016. Surfers Paradise and The Phantom in the 1990 and 1991 Cox Plates. Smith said he knew he had the race within his grasp at the 200m. He died in 2015 outliving his owner, who died in 2013. “I peeled him out to follow behind the favourite (River Bairstow said Niccatrice’s issues had stemmed from several Dance) and he tracked into the race beautifully,” Smith niggling injuries and immaturity. said. “He had them covered at the 200m. “He has taken a while to mature,” Bairstow said. “He was “He was absolutely flying. badly galloped on in last year’s Championship when he was galloped on from behind. “I think Mark taking the blinkers off him has given him a new lease of life. “That took well over a month to get him back right. “After he showed very good acceleration to win at York I “He ran last at Pinjarra one day when he was injured in decided to stick with him.” the barriers. There are six heats run at leading provincial centres at “He just kept having these little problems. Bunbury, Northam, York, Geraldton, Mt Barker, Albany, “I did a lot of low intensity work with Niccatrice over the Narrogin, Esperance and Ascot with the first three place- winter months to build him up for the summer. getters qualify into the Final. “I didn’t want to turn him out and he just ticked over without galloping or racing.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 41 Last season 13 GroupLast season 1 winning 13 GroupNZB graduates 1 winning NZBwon 15graduates Group 1 won races.15 Group 1 races.

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42 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Winners Circle Summer 2017 43 ‘SLAM’DUNCAN AT THE FINAL FRONTIER

44 Winners Circle Summer 2017 The Jewel of Ordos: The new grandstand in the exciting thoroughbred precinct of Inner Mongolia

Mainland China and Inner Mongolia are After toiling for more than two- decades with blood, sweat and regarded in the thoroughbred world as blisters, Ben Duncan was handed the being the last of the ‘final frontiers’ in the biggest contract of his business life. There was no luck involved. The deal development of global racing. was recognition for the work he had put in working on leading equine A small but innovative WA company has properties up and down the east coast of Australia. been on the construction frontline of a The development deal, which could new and exciting racing precinct in Ordos, inevitably set him up for life, is located a burgeoning racing jurisdiction which in the far flung wilds of northern could one day rival the powerful Hong China. Inner Mongolia to be more specific. Kong racing scene. Ordos, it’s a long way from his own property in the serenity of North Established almost twenty years ago, Jindong, between Vasse and Margaret Horserail Australia, the south-west based River. But it is here where Duncan has been heavily involved, working on company of owner-breeder Ben Duncan the construction and development (pictured left), has been developing of a brand new racing and breeding and upgrading some of the biggest centre for the wealthy China Horse Club. The goal of this global thoroughbred stud operations and horse conglomerate is to bring horse racing training facilities throughout Australia. into everyday Chinese life. It involves over 4,000 acres of arid Duncan’s company may have started by ground, being turned into housing, horse stables and lush paddocks chance, but his dedication, hard work and around the Inner Mongolian race now the accumulation of many frequent course. From what he has witnessed flyer points racked up over the years, has and heard, Duncan believes that this development could one day taken him to where he is today. rival breeding properties in the picturesque Hunter Valley and racing Writer Robert Edwards popularity of Hong Kong.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 45 Having to oversee that all of his product is installed to premium standard and quality, Duncan has so far made five trips to China already this year.

Duncan said it may take some time for the Ordos racing and breeding precinct to become fully established and be able to attract global attention, but for him personally it was exciting being involved.

“It really is just amazing,” he said.

“The plans they have for racing up there is quite incredible and they clearly have the resources to pull it off.

“They are selling properties that have a two story house, barn for the horses and paddocks fenced by Horserail on

an acre of land. Artists impression of the completed Ordos racing “Plans are for those properties to surround the race course entertainment’s centre and have stables and paddocks at the course as well.” ,

Duncan described the venture as being the final frontier for racing to become established. The plans they have To have an international business power like China for racing up there is involved in the thoroughbred racing industry would be amazing for the sport. quite incredible and “It’s really the only area in the populist world that does not have a high profile racing centre,” he said. they clearly have the “America, Australia, Europe all are massive jurisdictions and resources to pull it off. the final box to tick on the list would be China with their , financial resources and of course massive population.” Like many successful business’, Horserails did not occur Duncan said that being involved in getting the Ordos overnight. Duncan said that it had taken him almost 10 construction off the ground, had been a ‘pinch me and years for his company to become established and to gain wake me up moment,’ for him. recognition for the work he was doing in WA and in the Eastern States.

He admitted there were many tough economic times financially in the early days of the business – which was created in part by chance and circumstance.

Whilst visiting Oakland Park Stud, the successful breeding operation owned and managed by his father Neville, a youngster broke through the paddock’s old timber fencing during the height of a wild storm. The entire fence was severely damaged and the horse was seriously injured.

Studying at university at the time, Duncan decided to research and investigate whether there was a safer, more cost effective fencing product on the market.

He soon discovered that there ON THE JOB: was a huge demand by many Horserail’s Ben Duncan and other horse property owners one of his Mongolian staff for such a product.

46 Winners Circle Summer 2017 “All the fencing that we put in place when I first started this He is hopeful Horserail will be able to set him up for company, is still in place and is as strong as the first day it retirement down the track and allow him to spend more was erected,” he said. time with his young family.

“It is a bit more forgiving and we’ve had instances where Some of that family time would be spent with his parents horses have run through it, but each section of the fence at their renowned Oakland Park Stud. The stud’s famous is forgiving and does not bring down an entire side of the yellow and black racing colours which were carried to paddock.” international fame by the two-time Cox Plate champion Northerly, continue to appear in the winner’s circle. Duncan, who discovered the patented Horesrail product in a factory in Pennsylvania, North America, has supplied It is where Ben’s love for horses began at a young age. fencing to some of the biggest stud farms in Australia “Where we live, we have dad’s farm at one end of the road including global conglomerates Coolmore and Darley. and Peter Walsh’s Amelia Park at the other end,” he said. Married with three children, Duncan said the constant long “There is some very good horse flesh down here.” distance travel involved in developing and constructing Horserail around the world, sometimes took a toll. Especially Duncan has a few youngsters running around his own when he leaves his wife, Jo, a veterinarian, at home to look paddocks which he has bred. He’s also involved in the after the 25 horses they have on their property. ownership of exciting two-year-old filly Kiss the Breeze who won the first race of the season for the juveniles. Horserail has just four employees including Duncan. The exciting daughter of Sebring is on a pathway aimed “We do have representatives over on the East Coast who towards the $250,000 Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic help us a lot,” he said. at Pinjarra Park on February 10. “If we have a client ring with a problem, we like to be there Whilst Duncan loves to dream of one day breeding and on their farm within 24 hours to sort it out. racing his own Northerly, for the moment, helping to “Having some representatives over there helps with that, develop new racing centres and watching some of the but I do accumulate plenty of frequent flyer points.” world’s finest bloodstock in action is giving him more than enough satisfaction.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 47 Stars Celebrate at 2016-17 WAROA Racing Awards

Sydney artist extraordinaire Brad Blaze set the 2017 WAROA WA Racing Awards stage on fire with his powerhouse live on stage performance, speed painting the portrait of WA racing legend Rod Kemp.

The colourful completed work, which superbly captured the WA Racing Hall of Fame Jockey’s trademark smile, was purchased at auction by a group of the ‘Rocket Man’s’ close friends and now takes pride of place in the new Rod Kemp Owners Room at Belmont Park. While future Hall of Fame jockey William ‘The Wizard’ Pike added a ninth WA Jockeys Premiership to his record, the husband and wife training team of Grant and Alana Williams were proud and humbled to accept their first WA Trainers Premiership award. Group One Railway Stakes hero Scales of Justice was a unanimous judge’s choice for 2016-17 WA Racehorse of the Year.

The 2018 WAROA Racing Awards is scheduled for Saturday August 4th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

48 Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 WA RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR Winner: Scales of Justice

THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS WA AWARDS Breeder of the Year Winner: Peters Investments (Bob & Sandra Peters) Broodmare of the Year Stars Winner: Sister Teresa Champion Sire Winner: Blackfriars

RACING & WAGERING WA Best Metro Feature Racing Article Winner: Robert Edwards Racing Media Personality Celebrate Winner: Ryan Hill 2016-17 AWARD WINNERS Inglis Two Year Old of the Year at 2016-17 WAROA Winner: Lucy Mae Amelia Park-Grand Farm Three Year Old of the Year Winner: Variation Racing Awards Horserail-Northerly Four Year Old & Upward Horse of the Year Winner: Scales of Justice

PERTH RACING AWARDS WA Champion Apprentice Winner: Aaron Mitchell WA Champion Jockey Winner: William Pike WA Champion Trainer Winner: Grant & Alana Williams

Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 4949 5050 Winners Winners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 WinnersWinners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 51 51 The dramatic and dangerous escape out of China by successful WA businessman and racehorse owner Mark Chadwick, could provide a compelling script for a future Hollywood movie.

Chadwick, who races smart stakes- winning filly Ocean Jewel, winner of the recent Placid Ark Stakes, literally dodged a bullet during a business

52 DODGING Winners Circle Summer 2017 A BULLET A regular trip to Shanghai in January trip that went 2016 went pear-shaped when Mark horribly wrong. Chadwick, who worked in corporate financial reconstruction, was told he wasn’t allowed to leave the country. Forced to hide and crawl through “There was a Chinese company we were dealing with and unbeknown to us, they dense jungle with placed a travel ban against myself and a the fear of the couple of other executives,” Chadwick Chinese military recalled.

opening fire on “I flew in to Shanghai one morning for a meeting and was then flying back to Singapore. him, Chadwick’s “That afternoon I got my boarding pass and was going through life flashed before immigration and when my name was entered on the computer, a red flag came up. I was told I couldn’t leave.” his eyes more At first, Chadwick thought the travel ban was “a bit of a joke”. than once as he But the seriousness of the situation suddenly hit home when, after already being stuck in China for six weeks, Chadwick’s lawyers told him made his break an appeal against the ban would drag out for up to two years. “We had spoken to the Australian Government but they said it was a civil for freedom matter, so they couldn’t get involved,” Chadwick said. from virtual “We always suspected, but we subsequently obtained anecdotal evidence that the judge had been bribed to issue the travel ban. house arrest, in a “We really didn’t have any options, so that’s when I started engaging in country known discussions with the equivalent of their federal police about how to get out of China. for dealing out “It was through the Chinese authorities that they put me in contact with essentially a smuggling gang and a plan was hatched to get me over the swift punishment. border to Vietnam.”

writer Jay Rooney

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2017/18 SEASON FIXTURES 2017 Sunday 19th November - Opening Day Friday 1st December Friday 22nd December - Industry/Tradies Day Tuesday 26th December - Boxing Day

2018 Sunday 7th January Saturday 13th January Thursday 1st February Saturday 11th February 2018 - Ladies day – will feature $100,000 Fitzpatrick Plate as well as Ladies Bracelet Friday 9th March Sunday 1st April 2018 - $100,000 9841 4000 Wellington & Reeves Albany Cup 261 Roberts Road Thursday 12th April [email protected] Thursday 26th April w: albanyracing.com Thursday 4th May f: AlbanyRacingClub Thursday 11th May - Publicans Day

54 Winners Circle Summer 2017 , I’ve been told if I was ever to go back to China, I’d be facing jail time, The escape plan included a domestic flight under a false name, a motorbike ride across the countryside to avoid a military checkpoint and three days holed up in a hotel room before a frightening journey through a jungle. “That was probably the scariest moment because around that time a Muslim minority group was being persecuted in Urumqi in the north of China,” Chadwick said.

“A lot of them were trying to leave China into Vietnam Mark Chadwick and top Sydney jockey Josh Parr who guided similar to what I was doing and there were instances Ocean Jewel to victory in the Placid Ark Stakes where the army shot them before they got across. “Luckily we were fine. We got to the river, jumped on a fishing boat and travelled half a kilometre over to Vietnam. Jason Carone, a close friend of Miller’s who worked with Chadwick overseas, introduced the pair and Chadwick “After that they got the necessary stamps for my passport expressed an interest in racing thoroughbreds. that allowed me to get out.” Racing piqued Chadwick’s interest as a child when he After three months stuck in China, Chadwick was would attend the races and trots to watch horses owned desperate to get back to his wife Patricia and their young by his grandfather. daughter, Kaitlin, who were in Singapore. He started off with small shares in Singapore and Perth The ordeal still brings out a range of emotions in Chadwick, gallopers, including Trudeau, who won Group 2 and 3 but it also put the most important aspects of his life into features in Singapore and a Group 1 in Malaysia. perspective. “That was when my wife started to get excited, when “I go through periods where I feel angry – not just at the you’re winning big races,” Chadwick laughed. Chinese judiciary, but I felt let down by the Australian Government and my employer,” Chadwick said. “I suspect if it wasn’t for Trudeau, I wouldn’t have been given the green light to do what we’re doing now.” “There’s also relief – not just getting out but also recognising I’m not going to be on this earth forever. Financially buoyed by the sale of his business, Chadwick decided to get more heavily involved in racing. “I hadn’t been living a life that was overly fulfilling, in a broader sense, and I probably wouldn’t have changed He teamed up with Miller to buy yearlings before quickly without that situation.” shifting his focus to weanlings, in particular fillies with residual value. Within weeks of returning home, Chadwick and his family packed their bags and made the move back to Perth. “He realised there was more value in weanlings and we got a couple of good ones early, so we kept doing that,” He quit his stressful job and hasn’t looked back since, Miller said. enjoying quality time with his wife and now nine-year-old daughter. “He’s a good bloke and a good owner.” During the ordeal, Chadwick also discovered who his true Fuld’s Bet launched Chadwick’s new venture in style, friends were. One of those is Ascot trainer Simon Miller. winning her first two starts in 2014 including the Listed Gimcrack Stakes. “There weren’t too many days where he didn’t call me just checking on how I was,” Chadwick said. Divided House was placed twice in WA before Chadwick transferred her to Singapore, where she won five races for “He knew I was going through an emotional rollercoaster.” trainer Cliff Brown.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 55 RACE DATES FOR SEASON 2017/18

Saturday 14 October Friday 29 December Wednesday 21 March Sunday 22 October – Twilight Meeting – Amelia Park Bunbury Stakes Day Thursday 2 November Wednesday 10 January Sunday 25 March Tuesday 7 November Thursday 18 January – XXXX Gold Bunbury – Melbourne Cup Friday 26 January Cup Day Wednesday 15 November – Australia Day Wednesday 4 April Sunday 26 November Sunday 4 February Thursday 30 November Sunday 18 February Wednesday 6 December Wednesday 28 February Sunday 17 December Sunday 11 March Sunday 24 December – Cup Prelude Day BUNBURY TURF CLUB

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• Wednesday 27th December 2017 • Thursday 22nd March 2018 • Thursday 8th February 2018

• Wednesday 3rd January 2018 • Thursday 5th April 2018 • Friday 23rd February 2018

• Friday 12th January 2018 • Sunday 15th April 2018 • Saturday 3rd March 2018 Geraldton Cup • Sunday 28th January 2018 • Thursday 15th March 2018 • Sunday 29th April 2018

PO Box 440, Geraldton WA 6531 Phone: 08 9921 8366 Fax: 08 9921 8292 E-mail: [email protected] Manager David Wrensted 0427 471 945

56 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Ocean Jewel, Rubia Miss, Moonee Valley winner So You In racing and particularly breeding, patience is a virtue. Too and Filibuster, who broke the Kranji track record over And Chadwick is well aware his venture won’t be a success 1100m in October, have been more recent success stories overnight. for Chadwick. With his feet firmly on the ground in WA, Chadwick won’t The 43-year-old teamed up with Miller and Amelia Park’s be travelling near China anytime soon, if ever. Peter Walsh to buy five weanlings in Sydney this year. “The thought of travelling north towards China worries me,” He is now in the process of converting a North Dandalup he said. property into a stud farm for his band of broodmares. “If I was ever to travel to America, I wouldn’t go via Japan “It’s grown from being an interest to being a passion and just in case the flight got diverted to China for whatever we try to run it like a business,” Chadwick said. reason. “Over the last couple of years we’ve started to get involved “I’ve been told if I was ever to go back to China, I’d be facing in breeding, which is one of the reasons we focus on jail time.” buying fillies. Needless to suggest, Chadwick’s local Asian restaurant is “I quite often drive past Bob Peters’ place in Keysbrook and now about as close to China as he ever wants to be again just being able to see the professionalism that’s gone into after dodging a life changing bullet! the farm, it drives home that if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to do it properly. “It’s a dream to create something like that.” GO GIRL: Parr roars his delight at Ocean Jewel as the filly coasts home in the Group 3 Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot

Winners Circle Summer 2017 57 THE GAME IS NOT THE SAME... writer John Elsegood

September 2001 was not only a mense horribilis (horrible month) for the world but also one for Brad Lewis. As a presage to the attacks, on the US by terrorists, on September 11, Brad Lewis’ world also came crashing on the very first day of that month.

That was the day his father well known racing identity, Lou, with his long-time friend Don

Hancock were blown up, in a car bomb attack, in the quiet streets of Lathlain Park, after returning home from the Belmont Park races. Lou Lewis was the innocent victim of an attack aimed , at Hancock, a former CIB chief. The top detective had I know he wouldn’t angered the outlaw motor cycle gang, Gypsy Jokers, who were suspected of being behind the attack. have wanted me to “I had a week off but I didn’t want it to affect me before resuming but I know he wouldn’t have wanted me to quit quit or be in the or be in the dumps forever,” Brad said. He also had to take over as acting chief steward as long dumps forever serving chief, Fin Powrie, was in the process of taking an , overseas appointment when the family disaster struck doing a short stint as a provincial chairman of stewards his deputy. Brad acted for some four months before John (thoroughbreds). Zucal ‘took over the reins.’ “I saw something in Brad and I knew he would go a long “Having that responsibility, at the time, helped take my way, particularly as his first love was racing,” Delaney said. mind off the personal tragedy, to some extent,” he said. Change has been a feature of stewarding since he Growing up the young Brad always had an interest in commenced as a thoroughbred racing steward in 1990. racing and trots, courtesy of his father who for many years was a trotting bookmaker and racehorse owner. However, “Given the problem of drug abuse in today’s society in 1982, when he was in year 12, Lou retired so there was we now do greater testing of riders than hitherto no path to follow in that area. with penalties applied. We also attempt to rehabilitate offenders by counselling, regular testing and give them The stewarding area was always of interest from the start every chance to return to the industry.” One fine jockey and he made an early application, aged 18, to the WA who did just that was Shaun O’Donnell, a dual Railway Turf Club expressing an interest. Told he was a bit young Stakes winner on former local champion, Luckygray. and advised to do university studies he quickly gained a The chief steward also indicated there is greater horse cadetship as a Harness Racing steward and he started as swabbing compared to the past. a cadet in 1987-88 before becoming a steward with the WATA. “Form and betting analysis has now taken on a far greater profile and with more resources devoted to it given the That was short lived because his last trot meeting was rise of corporate bookmakers. This is far different to when I at Merredin, on 16th December 1989, after he applied started where we dealt with the local tote and bookmakers for a job with the WATC. It meant going back to being a ring. Following the money trail, now, is far more intricate.” cadet for a period but he decided to do that after being advised that it was a better career path, by Bill Delaney “The questioning of tactics and riding instructions is who ended up as Chief Harness Steward, after previously also now common with information being released

5858 Winners Winners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 THE GAME IS NOT THE SAME... Brad Lewis Reflects

WinnersWinners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 59 59 9249 4077

60 Winners Circle Summer 2017

IN THE TOWER: A young Brad Lewis under the watchful eye of former Chairman of Stewards Finn Powrie publically, via twitter, and is regarded as an important , area that stewards no give much greater focus to in an Fin came in at a effort to make racing as transparent as possible. This includes the monitoring of wagering at race meetings critical time after there and analysis after the meetings have been concluded with Travis Rendell designated to this role. He monitors form and betting from the office while race meetings are had been a series in progress, providing important information for the panel to utilise.” of controversies, Dedicated television racing channels have also put more pressure to have horses in the mounting yard at in the 1980s, designated times and for races to run on exact time and for stewards to have reports and statements out by the vision being used for the first time), for leg pulling another conclusion of a meeting. That information is also more jockey in a tight finish of the AJC Derby was the start of detailed than in earlier eras. a revolutionary process in aiding stewards deal with the cheats. The chief steward also pointed to there being more frequent race day inspections to check on medications In the recent Railway Stakes both Craig Staples (on winner and treatments records than in the past: automated Great Shot) and Brad Rawiller (Black Heart Bart) were fined weighing processes and whip rules receiving greater for slight transgressions, as revealed by Hawkeye, in the scrutiny. The latter point has come about because of number of permissible whip strokes in a thrilling battle heightened animal welfare concerns, now a key integrity between the pair. issue in racing. Lewis is a different type of chief steward. He is more low- The Hawkeye visual service gives the stewards a valuable key than some of his immediate predecessors such as Fin tool in monitoring this as Deputy Chief steward, Harold Powrie or John Zucal. Taylor, (a former South African jockey and chief steward “Fin came in at a critical time after there had been a series in that country), demonstrated to this writer. Stewards can of controversies, in the 1980s, and exuded a sense of not only count the number of whip strokes, (and whips are purpose and strength. John was a great mentor and very now padded), but they have the facility with the system to approachable,” Lewis said. home in on a given area, from any angle, and see where a horse cast a plate (shoe) in running. Here his comments were referring to the tumultuous home invasion and assault of the then chief steward John All this is a far cry from the days of the steward in the tower Mahoney and his wife by baseball wielding thugs. Earlier relying on his vision to see a split second infraction. The a dramatic 1987 Perth Cup, where Rocket Racer had won 1961 suspension of Mel Schumacher, (due to head-on

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62 Winners Circle Summer 2017 by nine lengths but then had to be virtually lifted away “As for the anonymous letter on fixing races, in mid by attendants, after being declared too distressed to be 2013, that reflected on myself and the panel, unfairly, so swabbed post race. we analysed and reviewed the races mentioned again, including using additional telecommunication data. An Powrie determined, after taking over in August 1989, that external review by a panel of NSW stewards, headed by swab and blood samples would be taken even if the horse Ray Murrihy also did not find integrity problems.” had died. He too was subsequently threatened and had cars parked outside his home. Later, John Schreck, another legendary chief steward of the AJC, said after a review, that there was no evidence Lewis has had his share of dramas to contend with, to impugn the stewards panel with a lack of integrity and including a famous Railway Stakes protest, that was that ‘instead of jumping at shadows’ administrators, the upheld, and a letter alleging race fixing by an anonymous press and followers of the sport ‘should not go into panic person claiming to be a jockey. mode because big players from the East find runners they believe to be over the odds.’ Luckygray’s win sent some of the Eastern States hares off, running and pontificating with overheated social Apart from dramatic races and inquiries, threats of violence media ranters railing against ‘home town decisions’ and and sometimes real violence carried out against stewards demanding that ‘the stewards should be fed to the sharks,’ there is always a myriad of matters being dealt with by were just some of the offerings. WA Racing was panned stewards, including queries on vet decisions, interference, as being ‘30 years behind, 30 years ago and 30 years protests, even photo finish disputes which is, of course, behind now,’ by one self styled expert on racing, Justin the bailiwick of the judge. Cinque, with his heading titled, ‘Racing still in the Dark Brad Lewis takes pride in his team and apart from those Ages after Railway Decision.’ (Roar, 20/11/11). Whether stewards already mentioned the industry experience having a surname, the same as English medieval ports of others like Doug Mead and Natalie Wood (both makes Cinque an expert, on racing or the Dark Ages, can ex-jockeys); senior stipe, Rick Mance a former harness be left to the discretion of the reader! Sufficient to say reinsman in Victoria; Chris Brown who had graduated from that the 1972 Perth Cup had more stake money than the stable employee to cadet before graduating to senior Melbourne Cup and for many years the Australian Derby level; and ex-farrier, Martin Vickers, another product of was run in Perth–not bad for a backwater. WA’s cadetship program. “There was enormous interest on the day because it was The structure of stewarding has changed dramatically second versus first, plus also fourth versus first, there were in recent years. Instead of three chief stewards and the direct and indirect consequences involved in multiple committee of various clubs being the arbiters of decisions cases of interference and obviously riding inquiries to and appeals, an over-arching office of Integrity headed initiate after the protest,” was the more sober reflection, of by Denis Borovica ‘minds the minders.’ In addition Racing our chief steward. club committees have long since been replaced by the Racing Penalties Appeals Tribunal, an independent judicial “In retrospect I could have used our media facilities oversight of stewards decisions. better to explain our decision which we were entirely comfortable with on the day,” he said. According to veteran racing writer Ernie Manning, who knows where many of racing’s skeletons lie, “Brad Lewis The stewards upheld Shaun O’Donnell’s protest against may lack the flamboyance of some previous chief stewards the interference he had indirectly suffered at the hands but is totally effective.” of Kerrin McEvoy, aboard He’s Remarkable. Paul Harvey’s objection, (fourth on Waratah’s Secret), was dismissed. Perhaps that exterior blandness masks a subtle humorist. McEvoy subsequently pleaded guilty to careless riding Fin Powrie recalls that while Lewis was successful among and was suspended and fined. 60 applicants for the cadet position job he was still worried about his transition from trotting to racing. “When The connections of the defeated equine visitor then I said this to Brad he replied, “well, can I forget everything I sought leave to go before the Racing Appeals Tribunal learned there?” (this dialogue really belongs to something but that body rejected the approach, somewhat denting Bernard would say to Sir Humphrey, in Yes Minister). the claims of ‘bias,’ given that an appeal was deemed unwarranted. “He also went through some testing times with the murder of his father, inheriting the Thurston Inquiry, It wasn’t the only dramatic Railway Stakes that Lewis when I left (relating to the runner up in a Perth Cup presided over either. When Luckgray won the race for a being disqualified) and the RWWA regime change. He second time, in 2013 (after being second in 2012) Ranger maintained a very steady approach and it always surprised was withdrawn, prior to the race, following an investigation me he did not choose to gain international experience. I that found vanilla extract had been used on his nostrils have had many cadets go onto to be chairman of stewards before, in the stalls area. That was good investigation work in various countries and although he chose to stay in WA at the time.” A subsequent charge and disqualification of a as a man and administrator he rates very high on my list,” stable employee ensued. Powrie said.

Winners Circle Summer 2017 63 Rockingham

6464 Winners Winners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 Surf ‘n’ Turf Rockingham

Surf ‘n’ TurfWinners Circle Summer 2017 65 writer Darren McAullay It is increasingly being recognized as one of the best social and entertainment weekends held in the metropolitan region. The 2nd annual Rockingham Beach Cup races, held last month over three days on the pristine Churchill Park beach foreshore and vibrant café strip, is fast gaining a reputation as a ‘must attend family event’. If last year’s inaugural event attracted significant media attention and brought people from far and wide to this hidden jewel on our city doorstep, then this year’s success only served to enhance the exceptional potential that this multi-faceted weekend has to offer. With high profile members of the WA racing community throwing their support and valuable assistance behind this potentially ‘iconic’ weekend of sport, art and entertainment, the Rockingham Beach Cup looks certain to capture the imagination of tourists and families to the region for years to come. Leading trainers Adam Durrant, the Pearce Brothers, David Harrison and Vaughan Sigley, provided many of the horses for the six-race card, with jockeys Danny Miller, Joe Azzopardi, Renee Forrest, Takahide Ikenushi, Misty Bazeley and Chloe Pearce amongst the riders that helped bring the colour and excitement of horse racing to the thousands of people that lined the foreshore through the afternoon. It was fun and it was unique! Danny Miller, the oldest registered jockey riding in Australia and arguably the world, showed he still enjoyed performing to a big crowd. It was a case of the veteran riding a veteran, as Miller piloted noted speedster Prager to an all the way victory after he skillfully negotiated the ‘better going’ on the beach track. With the magnificent backdrop of the Indian Ocean, Garden Island and the boats of all sizes everwhere, some of Perth’s best known socialites, businessmen and women, sporting identities and horse racing personalities wined, dined and partied to beach music throughout the day. With its world class natural attractions including sightseeing on Penguin Island, swimming with dolphins in the local bays, diving on wrecks, sailing, fishing or just enjoying the crystal blue waters, Rockingham is evolving into a tourist hub. Whilst it’s fair to say that the city and general area has copped a bad rap over the decades with some many well documented social issues, this coastal gem, the electorate of WA Premier Mark McGowan is slowly evolving from the ‘ugly duckling’ into one of the jewels of our southern corridor. The Rockingham Beach Cup is organized by the Rotary Club of Palm Beach and is supported by numerous volunteers, local business houses, members of the WA Racing Industry and many other community organizations. The many fundraising initiatives over the weekend, in which thousands of dollars was raised, supports the Australian Alzheimer Research Foundation, Variety WA and the Rotary Club of Palm Beach. It was my first time to this fantastic event, and having enjoyed everything that this weekend had to offer, including attending the Gala Black Tie dinner fundraiser as auctioneer and then the fun of calling the beach races, I’ve already booked to be there again in 2018. 66 Winners Circle Summer 2017 WinnersWinners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 67 67 LIVERPOOL’S GREY

Astute form analysts had banked on a talented and So why has this excitement machine been so lightly raced emerging grey three-year-old to step out and just win the to date with her appearances so well-spaced and now Amelia Park Plate at Ascot early last month. They got more back in the paddock again? than what they had bargained for. “It is because she is such a big filly (16.3hh) and we can In part, they were right on the money, but it wasn’t the afford to be patient while she matures. Some people told grey who they’d expected to close the deal. me I should take her east this year, but that was not a consideration,” part owner and breeder, Jim Anderson said. Epic Grey had started a popular favourite with punter’s for the race, but it was a striking looking grey filly called Anderson did consider another run, in early December, Fabergino, which jumped to the front and ran her rivals with Fabergino, but within days of her success the filly’s senseless in a time of 57.75 seconds. Young apprentice trainer Tiarnna Robertson had her pelvis broken in three jockey Fred Kersley described the performance as ‘jaw places, when she fell from a two year old at trackwork on dropping.’ November 7. That victory was the second from as many outings for the ‘That accident to Tiarnna made up our minds to put daughter of Maschino, emulating her debut at Ascot with Fabergino away until the New Year when, with the Jarrad Noske aboard back in the autumn. carnival over, she should be able to pick up some easy

6868 Winners Winners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 LIVERPOOL’S GREY

races. I expect her to be at her peak in 1200-1400m races “One of these blokes runs a glazing factory with 160 in November next year,” Anderson said. employees. After Fabergino won a trial he told his workers to be on it on race day. They did and they cashed up Anderson, a former Londoner, has 65 acres at Bullsbrook, near the RAAF base, where he runs 25-30 horses, mainly to the extent that only half of them turned up for work brood mares and youngsters. His racing partner is John subsequently! They watch Fabergino at 6 am in the Beasley who originally hailed from Liverpool. morning, at the club, and get on the booze at the same time, so Mondays have become a disaster when she is The Liverpool connection led to Beasley securing some running,” Anderson laughed. ‘Liverpudlian’ interest in the four young gallopers by Anderson’s sire, Maschino, which they are currently Obviously, despite the words, from the Vogues hit song, preparing for racing. “no five o’clock whistle blows at that Liverpool factory, at Beasley was back in the ‘Old Dart’ and talking to some ex- the start of the week”. school mates, in a Workers Club in Liverpool, about their Anderson rates Maschino as his best galloper with seven current WA racing stock and two of them wanted ‘in,’ on all wins from his 22 starts and he is keen to see how his four four of these unraced gallopers.

WinnersWinners Circle Circle Summer Summer 2017 2017 69 69 Ashley Fairhurst thanks his clients and looks forward to continuing the association

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70 Winners Circle Summer 2017 youngsters by the sire will perform, with Fabergino setting “She has surpassed that win in the thrill factor. When you an early standard for the other unraced gallopers to follow. breed from your own stallion and dam then successfully race the progeny, it is like having your own kids doing Maschino won the 2012 Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes with his something special,” he said. trademark finishing burst when ridden by Jarrad Noske and prepared by Graham Yuill. “We screamed our heads off when Maschino won the Peters Stakes that day and have been even more raucous Indeed, that was not only a memorable day for Anderson, with her. We are not big owners and breeders who are but also for Noske who booted home a treble on the day super cool in such moments.” and then received an added bonus. Fortunately they have a couple of riders who are cool in As I recorded at the time for Ozrace and WAROA, in a the saddle. satirical piece, (Cracking Good Times from Ascot –Noske’s Winning Ways), he was trudging back to the jockeys room, For a while afterwards, that November day of 2012, I wearing the turquoise colours of Shane Edwards: The referred to Noske as Rodin, after the famous sculptor of Turquoise One …..was seen under the Stewards Tower the marble piece of work,The Kiss (1889). Jim just refers to kissing a delightful brunette with long legs and a very him as “my favourite jockey,” and rates his apprentice rider, short beige mini. This of course was a very sound tactical Kersley, as a “good up and comer.” move by the jockey as well as very romantic place to Others with places in his heart include Lord Lonsdale engage in such pleasantries! The stipes would not have who won five races in a row for him in early 2006 with thought to look under their floorboards and even if they John Claite aboard the Robert Matthews trained galloper; had spotted the handsome prince…..he would have been Urban Chill, a La Trice Classic winner (2005, with Matthews given the all clear under the rules of racing. He was trying getting the quinella in the race), Seneca and the Earl of his best (to respond), was not causing any interference and Tenby. he stayed in a straight line next to the outside fence, being only checked in walking (and having his momentum Jim, as a retired scaffolder, clearly enjoys his hobby as an stopped) by the delightful long-legged one who leaned owner-breeder and Fabergino has given him new heights across to peck him, thus showing even more leg, if that to attempt to scale, namely the Group 1 Winterbottom was possible.) Stakes in 2018. I don’t know what Jarrad’s heart rate was at the time but If that happens, and some of those same turf experts mine was on a par with Rocket Racer after his Perth Cup believe it’s possible, then the noise levels that will be win and certainly, the Anderson clan had elevated heart heard from Ascot and a pub faraway in Liverpool, could rates, on that day, for different reasons. likely rival that louder than loud and larger than life syndicate of owners of trainer Chris Gangemi! Anderson rated that Peters win as the biggest thrill until Fabergino’s arrival.

FREDDIE AND THE FLASH: Star Apprentice Fred Kersley Jnr and the exciting unbeaten filly Fabergino

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72 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Q & A with Julio Santarelli and Dale Verhagen

A chance encounter over 25 years ago with a former Perth based ex-Victorian jockey, proved to be a life changing moment for jockey agent Dale Verhagen. Although never having lived in Western Australia, the ubiquitous Verhagen has managed to successfully guide the careers of two of the most prolific winning jockeys WA has ever seen from the other side of the nation.

Winner’s Circle’s Julio Santarelli recently spoke Verhagen to discuss his career in racing, the day of fate that changed his direction in life and the remarkable association he has enjoyed with star jockeys William Pike and Paul Harvey.

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74 Winners Circle Summer 2017 JS: Dale, you must feel in a privileged position to have JS: Are they coming to you for that advice more regularly managed and currently managing the elite of WA in recent times? jockey ranks? DV: They certainly have. They have a lot more pressure DV: I would have to agree. My business plan has always and I think social media is a very dangerous thing. worked around hopefully having the leading jockey There is a lot talked about with the footballers, but I and then the other jockeys I look after feeding off that think jockeys are in a really awkward position with it as jockey. I have been lucky enough to have the two well. It’s not unusual for them to cop criticism. If they best jockeys in the last 25 years being Paul (Harvey) are unlucky on a particular horse they might have and William (Pike), but I have also had a pretty good 150 or 200 different points or whatever else going supporting cast as well. at them and being pretty harsh too. I know William recently copped a couple of really severe ones where JS: With the number of jockeys you manage does it ever someone suggested his family all get cancer and die. create any professional tension? To me that is something that the racing authorities should be looking at. Whilst I realise it’s a tricky thing DV: It has and still certainly does from time to time. from a legal perspective if people are going to say Sometimes it’s difficult for me to watch a race if one these things they should be open to certainly being jockey wins on a horse that one of the other guys charged. could have ridden. In one view, I’m happy for the jockey that’s won, but I know I am going to cop some JS: I’m surprised that William would have a social media words from whoever the other jockey may have been. account? It’s always hard to watch a race and you do with mixed emotions. DV: He’s never really been big on that sort of stuff, but for a small period of time he had a Facebook account JS: Have you ever copped a serve or spray from one of and that’s where he was copping some verbal abuse, your riders? that’s why he ended it straight away. These are the things the general public don’t realise. William is DV: From time to time. When I first started with William pretty tough, but a few of the others might not be as there was a particular race and we had a look at it, mentally tough as William and it can have a really bad William went one way and Paul (Harvey) ended up on effect on them. one of William’s rides for Vernon Brockman and that particular horse won. At that stage I had only been JS: Has that happened to some of your other riders beside looking after William for about a month and it wasn’t William? a great start for us. It was probably a lesson that you can’t pick the right one all the time, it doesn’t matter DV: Yes certainly. Pretty much all of them. It depends who you are. It’s not unusual in William’s position to be on the personalities. A lot of guys can just look at it offered three or four rides in a race and on a frequent and it’s water off a ducks back and not care, where basis you are going to get it wrong. That’s the nature others they can really take it to heart and it’s probably of racing. with the younger guys who can suffer with it a little bit more. I do think it’s a really serious issue that isn’t JS: How many jockeys is the perfect number for a being properly addressed in racing at the moment. manager? DV: Whilst I have four at this time of the year it’s perfect because with the carnival there are quite a number of good rides available. Three or four is workable, but I couldn’t do anymore put it that way.

JS: Do you see your role purely as a business or do you get emotionally close to your riders as well? DV: Quite often I talk to jockeys about different things. The younger ones have different issues to the older ones. More often than not the older ones are fairly settled, married with children and fairly stable. The younger guys are still going out having fun, having relationship issues and things like that. Each jockey requires different advice. I don’t give them any business advice as such, probably a bit more relationship and life advice at different times. I don’t know if I’m qualified Champion WA jockey William Pike for that, that is up for debate.

Winners Circle SummerSummer 20172017 7575 really good jockey, but his communication skills were only average and that he would be worth a go. That jockey was Paul Harvey and at the time, while he had undoubted ability he wasn’t making the most of it.

JS: You really have a lot to thank Brendan Clements for? DV: Without him none of this would have happened. The ironical thing was he had a couple of falls and in total I probably only looked after him for may be a month. It’s quite strange because with Paul I looked after him for 25 years. I think I have done a lot of good things right along the way, but also I’m not silly enough to realise I have also had a lot of luck and good fortune.

Former star jockey Paul Harvey JS: Perth must hold a special place for you? DV: One of the highlights has been how kind and accepting JS: It’s pervasive in all sport, but when you have money the people of Perth have been, that being owners and involved it’s a volatile mix. trainers. Pretty much from the start they have been fantastic and I have a lot of really good friends. The DV: Exactly. People are putting on money that they have Melbourne industry is completely different. Through earnt and feel they are being wronged. A lot of people my work in Melbourne I can say I have made probably don’t realise it’s not like steering cars around, there is two good friends, whereas in Perth I quite comfortably a lot more to it than that. I hope down the track they can say that it’s probably up towards 40 or 50. take it seriously. JS: Dale, tell us something about Willie that people don’t JS: You don’t think the authorities are taking it seriously? know? DV: I think they are aware of it, but I don’t think they are DV: I think one of his greatest strengths is almost his doing enough about it. At the moment it’s constant disinterest in racing when he is not there. He has an and on a large scale. amazing ability to just completely switch off. He is very interested in farming and basically living on the land and JS: What would you like to see happen to address the that type of thing. He is extremely professional and the fact issue? that he doesn’t drink or smoke also certainly helps him. He is a fairly natural lightweight which makes him able to eat DV: I think they need to set up some sort of body that quite well and stay fairly strong. He has everything going can take care of it and prosecute the people that are for him to be where he is. He is not afraid to work and stepping out of line. Social media can be anonymous the other thing I respect him for is his loyalty. He hasn’t and people can say what they like, but I don’t think it forgotten where he’s come from. should be allowed. JS: Is he a person who is aware of his standing in racing? JS: How did you get into jockey management? DV: I really don’t think he cares. May be once he is finished DV: I was having a few drinks with friends and was trying to he will and strangely enough I don’t think Paul work out a way to have an involvement professionally (Harvey) cared about that either. It’s one of the things in sport. I was quite good friends with Simon Marshall they shared in common. and he advised us and it sort of went from there. I’ve been doing it for 25 years now and I don’t really know JS: How would William go if he rode in Melbourne? too much else anymore so it’s where I am probably stuck, but it’s been quite successful over the years. DV: He wouldn’t have a problem in the world. If he was able to adjust to the lifestyle in Melbourne or Sydney I JS: How did you enter the WA market place from Victoria? have no doubt he could be number one in either state. And I think if Paul (Harvey) had been able to come over DV: I had quite a lot of luck. When we first started we at the peak of his powers he would have been number put an advertisement in the local Melbourne racing one as well. calendar and lucky enough Brendan Clements who was based in Perth at that time called me asking if JS: Do you think William ever considers making the move? I would be interested in looking after him. Initially I didn’t see that working, but when I gave it a bit more DV: In Melbourne it’s extremely tough and relentless. I thought there was no real reason why it couldn’t work. think William’s lifestyle with his farms and two young kids I He mentioned he had a friend who he thought was a don’t think he would want to give it up in a hurry.

76 Winners Circle Summer 2017 76 Winners Circle Summer 2017 Address: 287 Victoria Road Malaga Western Australia Phone: (08) 9249 3455 Email: [email protected]

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