That’s a ton – but there’s more to learn!

Kilmore horseman Bill Milner freely admits he’s still a “learner” in harness racing, even after recently recording his 100th winner as a trainer.

“You never stop learning in this game.  Everyone who’s successful is a learner – because if you don’t want to keep learning things and trying different things, you won’t get far,” Milner laughed.

“I got started as an apprentice farrier with Carl O’Dwyer when I was a teenager, and from there I picked up ideas and knowledge from trainers and farriers and horse people all over the place. I did all the shoeing for Vin Knight, but I also learnt a lot from people like Gordon Rothacker, Kevin Murray and Kevin Dixon – and I’m still picking it up!”

Case in point was his “surprise” win with four-year-old Luna (Used To Me), who recorded her second career win at Shepparton on Friday night (Nov 11). Despite 40 years as a farrier himself, Milner said he picked up a tip from another trainer that seemed to help the mare.

“She kept jumping out of her gait, but since I’ve tried some new shoes on her, it’s stopped her from hopping and she’s a lot happier and trotting a lot better,” he said.

“That said, she did have the right run and Greg Sugars drove her a treat, so everything fell into place – I actually thought my other horse Astro (who finished third) was a better chance in the race.”

Milner confines his stable to trotters these days but found his way into harness racing training via a pacer – Vice Regal (Vance Hanover), who finished his career with 14 wins and 24 placings for more than $74,000.

“I was a part-owner of Vice Regal and Vin Knight was training him.  Then when Vin died, I ended up with him.  I’d never intended to be a trainer, it was just the way it turned out.  But I got the bug and here I am!”

Milner, who trains a team of five, has been going through a purple patch of form.  He recorded his 100th win as a trainer at Melton just over two weeks ago (Oct 26) with Astro (Love You), then had back-to-back wins with Tetra (Majestic Son) at Ballarat (Nov 9) and Luna (Used To Me) at Shepparton (Nov 11).

“I’ve got a place in Kilmore right near the footy ground and the tennis courts. It’s just four acres, with a 400-metre training track right around it but I don’t bother too much with going into the Kilmore track, unless it’s with the young ones. I just give them strong work here,” he said.

All three of his recent winners, indeed most of his stable, are from half-sisters which he also owned and raced – Aura Vale (Malhana Gindin) and Aura Valley (Extrovert), from the mare Star Advice (Welcome Advice), which was also raced by Milner.

“Auravale was a lovely mare for me.  She won $30,000 in stakes herself, and between Opia (25 wins), Tetra (eight wins) and Dellsun (14 wins), they have won more than $300,000 over the years.  Astro is the last foal from Auravale, and Tetra and Luna are both from Auravalley,” he said.

Milner has Astro running in Friday night’s Group 2 Hylands Breeders Crown Championship for 4yo Trotting Entires and Geldings.

“I’m not saying he can win, but it’s only a horse race!  Tetra won a final of the Breed for Speed bronze series last year, and Dellsun won a Vicbred Super Series 4yo Silver Trot a few years back. He’s eligible, so why not?” he said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink