Veranjee on the way to one of his 16 wins
Arthur Fullwood’s birthday was on Wednesday, but he doesn’t mind if he has to wait until tonight to collect one of his presents.
Fullwood has Veranjee engaged in the Yeoman’s Slate & Stone Pacers Handicap at Melton’s Tabcorp Park and thinks victory would be the ideal way to celebrate his 90th birthday.
The Narre Warren resident became Australia’s only active trainer in his 90s when he entered his 10th decade two days ago.
He spent a couple of days marking the occasion with family and friends but would love to keep the celebrations going at Tabcorp Park.
“He (Veranjee) has presented me with some very nice wins over the years and got me up over the $100,000 in earnings, so it would be very nice if could have another win this weekend,” Fullwood said.
Jack Johnston (born April 29, 1914) and Alan McLean (July 6, 1914) are older than Fullwood and retain a trainer’s licence, but they don’t have any horses in work. They certainly don’t work a team of eight like Fullwood.
Along with the Veranjee-led team of older horses, Fullwood’s got a trio of rising two-year-olds he’s getting ready for the track including a $71,000 purchase from the recent Melbourne Australian Pacing Gold sale.
“I might be 90 but I don’t feel it and that’s probably thanks to the horses,” Fullwood said. “It keeps me busy and I think that’s important.
“I’m still breeding them and I’ve got some nice Art Majors, which will be coming on the scene in the next 18 months, so I’ve got no intention of quitting just yet.”
Veranjee, a winner of 16 of 74 starts and $121,000, has the job of flying the flag at metropolitan level at present and while his recent form doesn’t look flash, Fullwood has high hopes this weekend.
A return to standing start conditions and step up in distance to 2760 metres is what has the trainer confident of an improved showing. Champion driver Chris Alford will pilot Veranjee from barrier two in the 8.12pm event.
“It’s a tough race but I think he’ll be right up there,” Fullwood said. “Chris gets him away pretty fast and, as a rule, he likes the 2700m so I think we’re in there with a show.”
Harness Racing Victoria price assessor Bill Hutchison rates Veranjee the equal outsider at $26 with consistent polemarker Tear It All Away the $2.50 favourite.
