Icicle and the surf is a winning combination

Jovial Victorian harness racing trainer Geoff Senior is a big fan of the surf—not so much for himself, but for the benefit of his consistent trotter Icicle (Straphanger).

“We probably head over to the Warrnambool beach at least once, sometimes twice, each week and ‘Tommy’ (aka Icicle) just loves it,” said Senior, who is based at Koroit, in the Western District.

“They have a boat there and he spends five minutes in the water. He has to walk out through the waves, has a swim, and then comes back in again,” he said.

Senior, who celebrates his 85th birthday next week, says the beachside training regime is a ‘win-win’ because Icicle is thriving on the routine.

“Having horses gets me out of bed, and I’m going along okay. I’m pretty sure there’s more wins in ‘Tommy’ yet. He’s the nicest horse I’ve ever had anything to do with,” he said.

“He just relaxes from the moment he gets to the races and never leaves an oat in his feed bin afterwards. He’s just a lovely horse.”

Icicle had given notice a win was just around the corner with two second placings and two thirds from seven starts for 2023. He posted his first victory for the season at Hamilton last Monday afternoon (March 20), the 16^th of his career. He scored nicely in the Finchett’s Plumbing Trotting Handicap, coming off the 40-metre mark.  He was handled by talented freelance reinswoman Jackie Barker.

Senior got involved in the sport in the mid-1960s, finishing third at his first drive at the old Ararat track.

“But it took me a few years to get my first winner. It was in 1970,” he laughed.

“I enjoyed the driving part, and I got as much enjoyment out of winning a trial as I did winning a race in the city.”

Senior handled some terrific horses over the years, such as Hecs Hope, Jamie Low, Noble Genius, Edacity, Mendacity, Okelerho Lad, Bottled-In-Scotland and Lots Of Kings.

“Noble Genius was probably the quickest I’ve had. He won a Sydney Derby. But square-gaiter Hecs Hope provided us with many great memories. In 18 months, he went from a maiden to winning five races in Melbourne—three at the Showgrounds and two at Moonee Valley,” he said.

“He won some big races at tracks like Geelong and one night in Melbourne we beat the champion Māoris Idol. We went out at 25/1, but Māoris Idol did break-up three times!

“We took him across to New Zealand for the 1979 Inter Dominion. I ended up losing him in a paddock accident when we were at our Coldstream property. He was in the best paddock and fractured his skull on a corner post. That was a big blow and took a long time to get over.”

Senior certainly retired from race driving on a high winning his last five drives. He was successful with Jamie Low at Horsham at his final engagement.

“I got appointed to the Board in 1988 and served seven years.”

These days the couple live on a small property at Koroit where they have a jog track and a one-acre paddock for Icicle.

“I only train one or two at a time. We love our place.  I can look out the bedroom window and see the horses.”

Icicle will have his next start at Melton tomorrow night (March 25) where he’s drawn the three alley in the $20K Peter Jackson Menswear Trot.

“He may find it a bit tough, but it’s worth a shot while he’s going so well. One thing about him is that he’s got better over the years and keeps on improving. He’s solid and now trots all the way, whereas early on they had to hold him together because he’d give a skitch,” Senior said.

“I won’t be at Melton because my wife Lauris is legally blind, and I always stay home if it’s going to be a late night. I’ve got two great helpers in Neil Kelly, who has been with me for 20 years, and Peter Matthews. They’ll be making the trip,” he said.

“Neil only told me the other day that I need two more wins to get to 100 since the electronic system came in. I’d say that overall, I could be another 100 or so past that—but whatever the number is I’ve had a good ride.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink