Kalkadoon Warrior shaping to honor Scott’s heritage

There’s a lot in a name and Victorian harness racing trainer Scott Rains is hoping his newest stable acquisition will live up to his responsibility.

Rains, a proud descendent of the Kalkadoon Aboriginal people, bought an unnamed three-year-old gelding advertised online late last year, but it didn’t take long for the youngster’s name to take hold.

“We were throwing names around, when someone suggested Kalkadoon Warrior,” Rains, of Bendigo, said.

“It seemed perfect. The Kalkadoon are my dad’s side of the family, around the Mount Isa and my uncles and my dad said it sounded like a strong name. So we decided that, if we could, that would be it,” he said.

“I checked if the name was available and ran it past Harness Racing Australia and they said as long as I could get the permission of the Elders and Traditional Owners, they would approve it.”

The Kalkadoon (Kalkatungu) are descendants of a forefather tribe known as “the Elite of the Aboriginal warriors of Queensland”.

“It’s the respectful thing to do to ask permission and it was good that HRA had that respect too. The Mob up there put it to their council meeting, and they loved it – they were really excited to have the name honored,” Rains said.

Kalkadoon Warrior (Pet Rock – Gwenda Baker (Village Jasper) is owned by Rains’ partner Ebony Harris, his mother Sharon Threadwell and his brother Sean.

Rains, who prepares a small team, was born in Brisbane, but said he had strong connection to his country near Mount Isa.

“It’s really a desert area. I’ve spent time on country getting out to some of the sites with my uncles, so it’s nice to have another connection again, through the horse,” he said.

“It’s definitely a name that stands out when you read it on paper, and I hope it gets some people a bit interested in what it means, and they might get on Google and have a look.

“Dad said if you’re going to use the name, then you have to take the responsibility that goes with it, too. People will wonder what the name means, and I’m happy to tell them – that’s my duty.

“We’ve got the name, and now it’s up to us.”

Kalkadoon Warrior has had two career starts, but Rains said the pacer “still had a bit to learn”.

“He’s a bit of a work in progress, he’s very raw, but I think he can do the job. He raced well at his first start, but since then he’s got a bit too keen so we’ve changed a few things with his gear. He trialled nicely at Bendigo on Sunday, so we’ll have another go at the races again early in September” he said.

“I’m not feeling pressure, but it would mean a lot, and I am really hoping he turns out okay.

“He doesn’t have to be a star city company horse, but if he can get a win or two there will be a lot of people who will get a little bit of pride out of that.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink