Making up for lost time in the best way

Country Victorian harness racing hobby trainer Gary Living admits nearly a year on the sidelines was longer than he’d planned – but he didn’t waste any time getting back into the winner’s circle.

Having only his second starter back at the races since May last year, Living had success at Gunbower (Feb 19) with his consistent performer A Rocknroll Jet (A Rocknroll Dance), driven by Michelle Phillips.

Based in the Mallee town of Birchip, with a population of just 350, Living and his wife Judy own the local hardware store – but business was unexpectedly brisk due to COVID-19.

“We had to take a backwards step from the horses for a while, because of COVID-19.  We were one of the ‘essential services’ that were able to keep going, so people were locked into using their local supplier,” Living said.

“That was great for the business, but Judy and I had to focus on the shop, so it was a bit stop-start during COVID.

“Then we were just planning to get going with the horses again last year when the weather turned pretty dramatically and that curtailed us longer than I wanted it to be.  Our track is open to the vagaries of the weather and the wet winter took it out of our control because we were all but flooded out at various times.”

The couple train just two or three horses at a time on their rural block, which has a 2000 metre sand track around one of the paddocks.

“We couldn’t work them at home, and it was just too hard to be floating the horses into the local Birchip track, so they had more time off,” Living said.

But getting the team back to the track brought almost instant results, and Living credits the quick return, in part, to having help with fastwork for A Rocknroll Jet and his stablemate Stylish Gem.

“I think it’s made a big difference to both of them to be able to work one-on-one, instead of going around on their own,” he said.

“It does help the horses along and it’s a lot easier when you return to the races because you’ve got a much better idea of where they are at.  I haven’t even bothered taking them to the trials this time because I’ve been able to work up to the standard I want to here.

“I sent A Rocknroll Jet to (Mildura trainer) Frank Cavallaro a couple of times during COVID, and I really noticed that working with other horses made a difference.

“Frank and his partner Kylie (Bevington) did a fantastic job with him, and the horse was just in his element, working against other horses and having others around for company.”

A Rocknroll Jet won three in a row in eight starts for Cavallaro, before coming home to Birchip at the end of July. The horse was next produced by Living at Gunbower, for a first-up win.  He’s been a consistent earner for the couple since they purchased him at the yearling sales, having 68 starts for five wins and 21 placings.

Although Living had no real family involvement in harness racing as he was growing up at Dandenong, his dad was keen on the gallops and horses in general.

“I got a bit of an inkling from there, then a couple of my friends were involved in harness racing.  By the time I was 20 I was an owner then when I was at university and I had a bit more time on my hands I moved on to get a driver’s license – I had a very undistinguished driving career, I must admit!”

Living qualified as a teacher and was sent to the Birchip school 42 years ago.

“Once I got up here, I applied for a trainer’s license. I also met my wife-to-be and I’ve been here ever since. We’ve both shared the enjoyment of the horses and Judy’s a great help.  We bought the hardware business in 1998 and the horses have always been a great side-interest for us both.”

For complete Feb. 19 race results, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink