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Letter of the Week

Horses are individuals

 

The Perth stewards have stepped out of line in restricting the number of times a horse runs in a certain period.

Some horses thrive on quick back-ups and only the trainer is the one to know.

Early in my career — nigh on 60 years ago — I bought an eight-year-old horse for £100.

After spelling on the Merri River flats he returned in great fettle.

After winning a few small races he hit top gear. On a Monday he won the Silver Anniversary Handicap (10½ furlongs or 2100m) at Camperdown.

Two days later on the Wednesday he won the Colac Cup (2000m) at 10/1 and on Saturday the Farnham Cup (2000m) with 9.5 (59.5kg).

He won three 10-furlong races in six days. The following Monday I took him down the beach and he danced all the way home.

Three weeks later he won an 11-furlong (2200m) handicap at Flemington.

So the quick runs didn’t hurt him. I only ever galloped him three furlongs at training — his best being three furlongs in 39 seconds. His work consisted mainly of pace work down the Warrnambool beach.

His name was Brown Ben but in those days horses were trained as individuals. Today, it seems to be more of a commerical operation.

Ross Gawley
Cranbourne (Vic)
Today's Racing
Friday 29 March
Saturday 30 March
Sunday 31 March