Spooktacular chance for a saintly victory

Good-humored Swan Hill “jack of all trades” Noel Watson won his hometown Pacing Cup when the new harness racing track opened 10 years ago—and now he’d love another one at tonight’s (Oct. 28) Halloween themed meeting.

The real estate agent, apart from doing the President’s role with enthusiasm and energy, is also a breeder-owner-trainer and sometimes driver.

“Winning the first cup run on our new track in October of 2012 with Saint Flash was without doubt one of my biggest thrills in the sport,” he said.

Tonight he’s pinning his hopes in the $35,000 Radio 3SH Group 3 Pacing Cup on Torrid Saint (Shadow Play), a half-brother to previous victor Saint Flash (Grinfromeartoear).

The two horses are from Watson’s wonderful broodmare Torridon (Safely Kept) who has produced nine foals to race, with just one of these unable to break into the winner’s circle.

“Torrid Saint is probably half an inch below the real good ones. When the late Keith Linsell broke him in, he didn’t think he’d go places because of being narrow-fronted,” Watson said.

“Keith did say there was no problems with speed, but had concerns whether his body would develop to take this. In the last 12 months the body shape of the horse is different, and he can now do a little more.”

The stage is set for a magnificent night of racing and entertainment, with the club pulling out all stops to reclaim Halloween after two years of COVID lockdowns. Entertainment will include live music and a family-friendly Halloween party, with trick or treating and kids’ fun, with the aim of raising $10,000 for local charities, including Rotary, the Lions Club and the Safe Shelter From Domestic Violence Project.

But on the track, Torrid Saint will need to be at his best in the cup as Emma Stewart has strong chances in Our Millionaire (Mark Pitt) and Like A Wildfire (Leigh Sutton).

“I have to say I’m absolutely blessed and delighted to have a horse of the quality of Torrid Saint. The Douglas team has him racing well and driver Jack Laugher does a great job with him,” Watson said.

Torrid Saint has won over $316,000. He’s faced the starter on 122 occasions for 16 wins and 35 placings. Watson admits he still holds sweet memories of Saint Flash, a winner of 27 races and 43 placings from 176 starts for $285,000 in stakes.  Saint Flash was trained by Glenn Douglas when he won the 2012 Cup and driven by his brother Daryl.

Watson, whose horses all carry the St Kilda Football Club colors, first got involved in the sport back in the late 1970s.

“I was working and playing football in Bendigo and a few of the other boys were interested in the trots. I got to meet legendary trainer Henry McDermott, and soon I was helping him out at his stables after work and on weekends,” Watson said.

“Back then Henry was training at a property opposite the Bendigo track. He was a gentleman; an outstanding horseman and a genuine fella who was happy to teach.

“I have a cheeky claim to fame in that I drove an InterDominion placegetter in Gosh in track work! Henry let me drive him a couple of times and you know, 40 years on I can still feel it through my hands. Those outstanding types are so different.

“Apart from Gosh, who won the SA Pacing Cup, Henry also had Quamby’s Pride and Shy Skipper. Henry’s sons Graham and John, are both involved now, but they were only little tackers when I was about.”

Henry McDermott died in 2007 at age 69 after a long and hard-fought battle with illness.  He was associated with a host of smart performers, but is best remembered for the ill-fated Quambys Pride who won the 1980 Queensland Derby and Gosh who won 36 races and $322,000 in prize money.

In later years, tough trotting mare Waikare Gold – who finished third in a heat and final of the 2002 Inter Dominion and the 2002 Australasian Trotting Championship – was the stable star.

After playing football in Bendigo, Watson went to Newbridge as playing coach in the Loddon Valley League.  He won the best and fairest medal in 1980.

“Peter Lewis – one of the Lewis clan – played in our side.  He has bred some nice horses as well, plus he also won the league medal a couple of years later.”

Watson is well-known in his hometown, having run a successful real estate business for 35 to 40 years. As well as pacers, he’s dabbled at training gallopers with great results and the football season just gone, was his 37th year of calling the match of the day for local radio station 3SH. He also hosted a football show on radio each Saturday covering three leagues.

“When I retire from work, I’m going to return to race driving. Some will think I’m silly, but I’m going to do it, just in a couple of races!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink