Tyler Dewe has been around horses since he was a teenager. And although he’s worked for a number of trainers, until three weeks ago he’d never had a harness racing trainer’s licence.
Today at Winton with the first horse he’s taken to the races, he got his new career off to the perfect start.
“It’s something I should have done a long time ago, but I never worried about it. Teddy Baker (Somebeachsomewhere) came up, so I thought I’d get my training career underway. It happened quickly and I’ve only had the horse for three weeks. It’s pretty special and it was a slick time as well,” Dewe said.
Driver Rory McIIwrick got the three year rolling out of the gate. At the 950 mark he let Teddy Baker go and with 800 metres to run they had a four length buffer on the second horse. By the 400 he was six lengths in front, and he cruised down to the line to win by nine and a half lengths.
“To do it with Rory, one of my best friends, was neat.”
TEDDY BAKER REPLAY
The winning time for the 2400 metre mobile was 2-54.2 with the last 800 cut out in 56.7.
It’s a well known fact that the progeny of Somebeachsomewhere can get ‘hot’ and like to run in front. That worked a treat today.
“I worked him in behind another horse and he didn’t want to pass. Rory came and drove him on Tuesday, he worked in front and went well. I said to him on that work he’d be hard to beat, and he gave me a wink.”
Teddy Baker has been a bit of a menace at times prior to races getting underway, and was well known to starter assistants for his habit of spinning completely around in a circle.
“He’s still a rouge. You saw him at the start today. I put the blinds on him to stop him from spinning. He has stopped but they’ve made him keen (in the running). So, we may have to revert back to half blinds.”
Many oncourse today recognised Teddy Bakers colours. They belonged to former Ascot Park trainer Murray Faul.
“I remember seeing them when I was a wee fella and thought they were cool. I’ve been thinking about colours for a while and one day I was going round the track (Ascot Park) and I looked over at Murray’s old house. I gave his daughter (Andrea Tither) a ring. She got back in touch, and he had said he’d love to see them back out there again.”
Faul, who is ninety four, trained thirty six winners including Windermere Girl who won nine of her twenty-seven starts including the Cheviot Two Year Old Fillies Stakes, Southland Oaks and Northern Southland Cup.
For complete race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink