Tough jumper Police Camp has been retired only days out from having his third tilt at the famous Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase next Thursday.
Police Camp, trained by popular local Simon Ryan, ran second in the 2022 and 2023 Grand Annuals. He pulled up with a minor problem after a steeplechase trial at Warrnambool last Friday.
Ryan says it’s disappointing the 10-year-old will be missing from the feature race at next week’s carnival.
“He pulled up a bit short in his action following the trial and we decided to retire him,” Ryan said. 
“It’s disappointing. It’s only a small issue but we didn’t want to take any risks with him. Horses have to be sound for races like the Grand Annual. 
“It’s the correct decision to retire him and give him a good home for the rest of his life. He’s been a wonderful horse for his owners. 
“He was a dour, honest stayer who loved jumping races around Warrnambool. Undoubtedly, his second placings in the 2022 and 2023 Grand Annuals are his highlights. His efforts in both those races were sensational. 
“His win in the 2019 Thackeray Steeplechase on a really heavy track at Warrnambool was also very special.”
Police Camp had 33 jumps starts for four wins and 10 minor placings.
Young jumps jockey Campbell Rawiller had been booked to ride him in the Annual but is now chasing a mount in the 5500-metre race. 
Mourning Maureen
The Warrnambool racing community is mourning prominent trainer Maureen Dwyer, who died last Friday.
Dwyer, who had a trainer’s licence for more than 50 years, was one of the quiet achievers of the south-west training ranks in the late 1970s and 1980s, training numerous jumps winners.
She put the polish on many handy horses including classy jumper Follow The Band, who ran second in the 1979 Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase behind Thackeray. Follow The Band won the time-honoured Ansett Steeplechase at Hamilton as well as jumps races at Penshurst and Terang.
Dwyer also trained Menu, Likeable Rogue, Hooker and Beauronic, successful jumpers of that era.
Her husband Leo was a clerk of the course at Warrnambool races for more than 57 years and all of their seven children have had stints at the same job, with Anne, Janet and Eddie the mainstays.
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family at this sad time.
Tom eyes the sky
In-form trainer Tom Dabernig hopes the winners keep rolling in at next week’s three-day Warrnambool carnival.
Dabernig tasted success with Furrina at Bendigo on Sunday and Smart Return at Horsham the day before, capping a run of 12 winners from 50 starters.
The popular trainer said he could have as many as 15 horses running over the three-day carnival.
“A lot of it depends on the weather,” he said. “We’ve got some horses that aren’t at home on heavy ground but can handle soft tracks. It’s all a wait and see.”
Furrina ($13) won a $37,500 two-year-old maiden at Bendigo on the back of an unplaced Geelong debut in early April.
“We were quietly confident she’d run well at her debut but she failed to fire,” Dabernig said.
“The Geelong track was pretty heavy and she never went a yard in the going. We just won’t run her on heavy tracks again.
“It’s wonderful to get a winner for her owners, Brian Singer and Alan Green. They’ve been big supporters of the stable.
“I trained Afleet Esprit for them and she’s the mother of Furrina so we go back a long way.”
Smart Return ($3.90) knocked off $1.50 favourite Carat Time by 1¾ lengths in an 1100-metre maiden at Horsham.
Dabernig said the Smart Missile filly, who was ridden by his apprentice jockey Jordyn Weatherley, could return to Horsham on Saturday week for her next outing.
“She’s a speedy type of filly but she’s still learning about racing and I don’t think she’s really at home on wet ground.
“It was good to see Jordyn kick home another winner. She’s doing a great job and is being rewarded for all her hard work. It was also great to get a winner for (owner) John Williams (senior) and his son John.”
Dabernig said one of his runners at the carnival next week could be Maatsuyker in a hurdle race.
The five-year-old ran third in a hurdle trial last Friday.

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