Beaconsfield trainer Damian Spring wears many hats.
He breaks and pre-trains Standardbreds, he is the lure driver for the Launceston Greyhound Racing Club, and on Friday in Burnie, he was back in the winners’ circle for the first time as a trainer in 3 1/2 years.
While his starters have been few since that last win, with four-year-old Hurrikane Kingcole mare Jadez ($21) providing the trainer with his most recent victory in the Ridgetech Pace (2180m).
From barrier one, the pacer began well, before ending up behind the leader when challenged on the first turn, before driver Todd Rattray was able to angle the mare into the clear near the 300m, and proved a bit too strong late to defeat Soul Writer ($11) and Laid Back Kenny ($13) in a mile rate of 2:02.7s.
“I said to Todd prior to the race that I would like her to lead, but if there was a bit of pressure, I was happy for him to hand up, and hopefully she would be there in the finish, which she was, so it was good,” said Spring.
The mare was having her fourth start since being purchased by Spring from Queensland earlier in the year.
“Bec (his wife) and I were looking online for a horse that Amber (his eldest of three daughters) could work, and get used to a bit of fast work, as now she is 16 and is keen to get her trial licence.
“I saw this horse online so I messaged the owner of the horse about a price, which he knocked back, and I left it at that, and a few weeks went by and he messaged me back with a price we agreed on.”
Jadez had one start for Spring in June, before he decided to give the mare a short break.
“I thought she was going alright when I first got her, but she had been racing for the past 12-months, so I just turned her out for a month and gave her a freshen -up for the Burnie season.
“I had some troubles with her and I didn’t think I was going to have her right for the first meeting (on 13 October), but she came good and may have been slightly underdone, and Jordy (Chibnall) said she would near win at her next start the last time she drove her.
“She is only a small horse that is probably suited to Burnie and those smaller tracks. With a bit of luck, on the bigger tracks, she may potter along,” said the trainer.
Spring may see his racing numbers grow slightly in the not-too-distant future, with his daughter Amber likely to gain her trial licence in the next few months, while his other daughters, Crystal and Tayla, are showing interest in the sport.
Wayne Yole was the only participant to record multiple wins on the Burnie card with Settebello ($26) and Ranieri ($2.30 fav).
Recently appointed Chairman of Stewards for Tasmanian harness racing, Trevor Styles, chaired the Stewards panel on Friday for the first time since his appointment.
Styles returns to the state after working with several interstate jurisdictions, most recently as Chairman of Stewards for Harness Racing South Australia.
