It’s all ‘beer and skittles’ for Shaun

Victorian horseman Shaun Kittel is relishing his role as private trainer on a newly-developed Goulburn Valley property – and he’s putting the runs on the board.

Widely regarded as a quiet achiever in the industry, Kittel is assembling an impressive strike rate since joining forces with former nurseryman Greg Fleming.

“Greg just loves harness racing. He has been passionately involved for so many years as an owner, breeder and trainer, and I think he’s enjoying being able to do what we’re doing now,” Kittel said.

“We’ve known each other for probably 25 years, and I’ve nearly always had one of his horses in work during that time,” he said.

“We got off to a flying start because the first one I trained for Greg (in 2003) was Cobargo Wind – it won 17 races (including the St Arnaud Cup) and was an outstanding handicap pacer.”

The team is based at Moorilim, about 30kms south of Shepparton.

The former horse property was being used for agistment, and to train animals for movies before being purchased by Fleming.

“One of the big projects was rebuilding the track because there were gum trees growing on it,” Kittel laughed.

“It hadn’t been used for nine years so it needed resurfacing and reshaping. Greg basically rebuilt it and put in drainage, so we now have an all-weather 900m track,” he said.

“All the fencing was virtually pulled down and replaced. Twelve day yards and boxes were built and a big shed was fitted out and converted into a modern barn. We’ve got a treadmill, six horse walker and a swim dam.”

Kittel has 15 horses in work, and the quality facilities are translating to results on the track.

A victory at Kilmore last Saturday night by The Last Chance took Kittel to 22 wins for the season from just 85 starters.

The victories, 17 second placings and 21 thirds for nearly $150,000 in stakes adds up to an impressive 59.5% top three to runners ratio.

The Last Chance (Mr Feelgood-Tender Reign (The Contender) took out the Alabar VicBred (second heat). The gelding, raced by Fleming and close friend Ross Holland, was driven by Michael Bellman.

Kittel, who grew up in Cobden in the western district, was working as a gardener when a chance meeting with former legendary Terang trainer Leo O’Connor kick-started his love for harness racing.

“I would help Leo in my spare time and one day he asked me when my next holidays were due. That was when I was introduced to Peter Manning and after that I would spend every weekend up at his place,” Kittel said.

“It become a full-time thing and I was there for a few years. I then worked for his daughter Kerryn and spent time with Peter Tonkin, then his son Clayton and Emma Stewart, and Dean Braun.

“Obviously I picked up a lot of things from them. I probably also base my training a little bit on what I learnt when staying with Luke McCarthy, who believes in strong gallop work.

“We are really doing better than I ever thought and there’s some very well bred youngsters coming up so it’s all exciting.”

Fleming is full of praise for his trainer saying Kittel puts plenty of legwork into the horses.

“He’s very patient. They’ve done plenty of work before he asks them for any effort, and he has a terrific eye for detail,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier and it’s certainly a change after the 45 years I spent in the nursery industry.

“Sonia Mahar, who worked for the Sloys up in Sydney, has been with us for three months and we also have another young stablehand helping us out as well.”

The stable mostly uses top freelance reinsman Michael Bellman, of Ararat, but if he’s unavailable, the stable calls on Laura Crossland and her teenage son Cody, an up-and-coming junior driver.

“I did drive in races back when I worked for Peter Manning, but I didn’t overly enjoy it. I’m more than happy to leave it to the others,” Kittel laughed.

But new challenges aren’t something Kittle shirks away from – he’s in the process of obtaining a gallops training licence.

“Greg owns a few racehorses and has four broodmares so we’ll give it a go. But the plan is to not have too many of them!”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink