IN his popular column, ‘SILKS & SADDLES,’ published by the NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, respected racing writer TERRY BUTTS reports on the visit to Mt Isa by champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
He also comments on the revival of closed rings policy by the Burdekin Race Club and their decision to enlist the support of Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Jim O’Sullivan.
Here is his column:
CHRIS WALLER DISCOVERED DIRT, DUST & XXXX BUT NO SKIING IN THE ISA
AUSTRALIA’S undisputed leading trainer Chris Waller was far away from the lush green turf and comforts of Royal Randwick on Saturday. In fact the contrast could not have been greater.
For Waller was scoffing a few XXXX in the dust and dirt of Buchanan Park, Mt Isa.
And according to all reports ‘just lovin’ it’, albeit in totally unfamiliar surrounds – and in the oppressive mid 30’s heat for which the Wild West is renowned for throwing up at this time of year.
The trainer of one-time Mt Isa pin-up galloper Shoot Out was special guest of the club for its end of season meeting.
During the day (apart from watching his large contingent of horses contest races in southern centres on SKY) Waller presented trophies after each race, and was guest of honour at a sell out dinner on Saturday night.
BIG RAP FOR CHAMPION TRAINER FROM ONE OF THE NORTH’S TOP JOCKEYS
DANNY Ballard, the season’s champion jockey described Waller as ‘an unflustered, down to earth type bloke who just oozes confidence.’
“It is not hard to see why he is such a successful horse trainer.
“His calm and collected attitude says it all,” said Dan.
“Last year we had Peter Moody and he was a big hit too.”
But these two champion horse trainers are poles apart in demeanour.
Peter is your consummate bushie – a real ‘hail fellow well met’ – a ‘you can’t take the bush out of the guy’ typical of his Charleville upbringing and still immensely proud of it.
Chris is a Kiwi who really hasn’t been about the bush that much. Mt Isa was a total new experience for him but an even greater experience for the local racing folk who were at close quarters, if only for a day.
WALLER DEFIED THE ODDS TO TAKE ON THE BEST IN SYDNEY AND SUCCEED
WALLER is regarded as one of the greatest trainers ever to throw a saddle on a horse in this country – and he defied the odds to do it.
He told the westerners that he arrived unknown and unannounced in Sydney with just two horses a decade or so ago with little else but hope, a work ethic and a strong self confidence.
Waller told of deciding one day in New Zealand that he wanted to be a horse trainer and reckoned to fulfil that ambition he had to be in Sydney.
It was a massive step, and he admits it. He was given 20 boxes at Rosehill, and with a little help from the STC, for which he is forever grateful, he began a career that has totally changed not only the record book, but also the face of Sydney racing – and is making in-roads into the Melbourne scene as well.
This is a man who few people might know, had 20 boxes built at Wagga in provincial NSW but never trained a horse there
He apparently elected, at the last minute, to stay in Sydney to battle it out with the Waterhouse’s and Darley’s who had a stranglehold on racing in that city at the time. That must go down as one his best decisions ever.
SHOOT OUT WAS A HOT TOPIC AMONG QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR IN MT ISA
WALLER answered all types of questions from the floor on Saturday night while being interviewed by local race-caller Laurie Wode.
“How did you get Shoot Out (owned in the Isa by the Huddy family) back off the canvass?” someone asked from the floor.
“Well it was just a case of rebuilding his confidence,” answered the trainer.
“So we worked him differently – got him to settle down in his races.
“The horse always had the ability but lacked confidence,” he said.
Waller told his intensely interested audience that he prefers not to work his horses hard on the track and reckons horses don’t need long terms in spelling paddocks. “Three weeks is usually enough for sound horses,” he said.
And the man with the most Group I wins on the board last season also revealed a soft spot.
He got a little emotional when someone asked about his old favourite Rangirangdo.
“It was the lowest moment of my life – the day they put him down,” he proffered.
IT WAS CERTAINLY A DIFFERENT DAY AT THE RACES BUT WALLER WON’T FORGET IT
YES, it was certainly different to a day at the races at Randwick. But I doubt if Chris Waller will ever forget it.
More importantly nor will the people he mingled with. Those locals lined up for photos with him, for his autograph on their race-books and all while downing the obligatory gold can or three.
Well, it was a bit hot, too.
Dan Ballard had a bit of a giggle when Waller told him he hoped to get a bit of skiing in during the visit.
“Hey this is Mt Isa – not Mt Kosciusko.
“No water-skiing?” asked the VIP visitor.
“Mate, we are in middle of a drought – Lake Moondara (on the outskirts of the Isa is just about empty.”
So, if there was a downside to the trip, it was going home without a ski.
Unless of course, he meant Johnny Walker!
MOODY – A BIG BLOKE WITH A BIG HEART – RACEBOOK RAISED MONEY FOR GILL FUND
TALKING of Peter Moody and signing race-books.
The big fella was in Perth last week and while there was approached by a bloke to sign some memorabilia including race-books.
Among this just happened to be the book printed on the day that Black Caviar had her first race start when ridden by the WA apprentice on loan to Moody at the time Jarrod Notske.
Moody duly obliged and asked the bloke could he have one of the books (he had several apparently).The trainer took the book to the Carbine Club lunch on Friday, where he had it auctioned.
It raised $7,000 – which has gone straight into the Desiree Gill Fund – a nice, behind-the-scenes gesture.
BURDEKIN RACE CLUB RE-OPENS BETTING RING BATTLE WITH TOP FIELDER LLOYD MITCHELL
IT’S a great game – the racing game – but you do have to wonder at times about some of the issues and participants.
The Burdekin Race Club at Home Hill has reopened the battle of the betting ring.
The club, you might recall, barred leading fielder Lloyd Mitchell from their Cup meeting in May claiming it was a closed ring – and has subsequently claimed that Mitchell’s services were not wanted.
Mitchell went to his licensing body – Racing Queensland – that that also licenses the Burdekin Race Club and naturally expects the club to be bound by and honour RQ’s rulings.
Racing Queensland ruled that Mitchell was entitled to work at the Burdekin on Victorian Derby Day on November 6 from which he was initially refused permission by the club.
So now the club has written a four-page letter on the issue to Queensland Racing Commissioner of Integrity Jim 0’Sullivan.
Just what the club expects Mr O’Sullivan to do is not clear.
Does the author of such diatribe, club secretary Sid Ruskin really expect Mr O’Sullivan to over-rule the decision made by Racing Queensland?
Get real!
BACKHAND COMPLIMENT FOR BOOKIES FROM CLUB THAT STRUGGLES TO RUN A TOTE
INTERESTINGLY, the letter states that bookmakers ‘only supply a small percentage of patrons and that most feature events are patronised by non-gamblers.’
Perhaps someone should explain to the learned BRC secretary that prizemoney for ALL race meetings is provided by Racing Queensland from funds of which 90 per cent is derived from wagering.
In other words NO prizemoney – NO race day.
Yet this is the club that had a Sunday meeting on St Patrick’s Day this year that offered an ideal opportunity for ‘green’ promotion.
But there wasn’t an Irishman or a Colleen in site and nor was the on course totalisator in operation.
“It was too expensive to run the tote,’’ was the claim.
RACING COMMISSIONER SHOULD TELL CLUB TO FOCUS ON CROWDS RATHER THAN BOOKIES
MAYBE Jim O’Sullivan will tell the club to concentrate their efforts on getting people through the gate instead of keeping bookies out.
And for the record, Mr Ruskin, you claim I have ‘an agenda’ and wrote a lop-sided story in this column on the Mitchell snub.
Again - get real!
IT has been stated that the quarter horse racing body is looking for suitable tracks to race on in Queensland.
Maybe there’s one on the Burdekin.
Then there is the rumour that Rattlesnake Island is being bombed out and a search is on……
No, not real!
CALLOW PLANS A WORKING HOLIDAY IN NORTH QUEENSLAND OVER CHRISTMAS
INTERNATIONAL jockey Noel Callow has expressed interest in riding in Townsville during December and early January.
Callow contacted TTC secretary Michael Charge last week to say he will be holidaying in Cairns during that period and wants to keep in trim.
He hopes to obtain mounts at the Townsville fixtures.
Callow is rated one of the better riders in Melbourne but spends much of himstime overseas principally in Malaysia.
COLUMN COURTESY OF TERRY BUTTS AND THE NORTH QUEENSLAND REGISTER, one of Australia's leading rural newspapers.
TERRY BUTTS can be contacted by e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
