Major milestone will be reached

While a major milestone will finally be reached this Saturday night, harness racing trainer Andy Gath isn’t suggesting any imminent retirement announcements for his champion Tornado Valley.

The nine-year-old will surpass the $1million prizemoney mark regardless of the result in the Aldebaran Park R C Freestone Trotters Free For All at Tabcorp Park Melton, which will see him become the ninth Australasian-bred trotter to reach the mark.

Amazingly, Tornado Valley only had around $70,000 in the bank from more than 50 starts in New Zealand before he was purchased by Gath’s long-time owner Norm Jenkin and flown to Australia. And in Oz, he’s lifted himself to legend status with more than 30 wins, nine of which have been at Group 1 level.

Two of those elite level triumphs have been in the Great Southern Star, a race which Gath would love to win for a third-straight year in early 2022 before the curtain falls on the horse’s career.

Gath sat down with Harness Racing Victoria’s Tim O’Connor to chat about the Tornado Valley journey ahead of what will be a celebration of the squaregaiter’s career this Saturday night. To see fields click here.

WATCH THE FEATURE ON TORNADO VALLEY BELOW: