How time flies! Six months ago Liam Howley Racing was launched and has become firmly established at a state-of-the-art training complex in the Macedon Ranges at Pipers Creek.
“Spring is the best time of the year (from a racing viewpoint),” meticulous trainer Liam Howley said yesterday.
Howley and his valued staff were buoyed when ultra-consistent galloper Bainbridge broke through for his first city win last Wednesday. A city first for the stable.
And Howley is very pleased with the progress made by several extremely well bred two-year-olds heading for the Inglis Ready2Run sales later this month.
On Friday the unraced colts by top stallions Tornado and Street Boss, were taken to Seymour racecourse for familiarisation in preparation for a ‘breeze up’ at the same venue leading up to the sales.
“They’ve all improved since they arrived here,” the trainer said.
Miranda Park Stud at Hesket and Sweetnam Stud at Nagambie are among those being supportive of what is taking place at Pipers Creek.
Howley has no doubt the move made to establish the training complex in the Macedon Ranges is heading in the right direction. An added advantage is the proximity of the Kyneton racecourse.
There are presently 28 gallopers in work at Pipers Creek, and Howley is pleased with the support shown by new and longer term owners, and welcomes further enquiries (Contact him on 0402 133 958).
On the racetrack Bainbridge has proved to be the stable star with three wins and three placings for Howley, who was confident the six-year-old would develop into a very handy middle-distance performer ahead of his effortless debut win for the stable over 1715m at Geelong on June 21.
“He’s a really tough horse, as shown at Sandown last week,” the trainer said.
Vastly experienced jockey Brett Prebble had no hesitation in taking Bainbridge to the front and his staying ability was put to the test in the straight. The $3.80 chance fought on strongly to win by 0.2 length from Marchons Ensemble.
VALUE OF DEDICATED STAFF
“I’ve learnt you are only as good as the people you put around you,” Howley said, in directing praise towards those in the industry who work for him.
“They’re an exciting group of people who are willing to learn, and they have a real passion and energy for the game.
“I’m privileged to have this exciting group of people. They’re like family.
“They all come from nearby centres (Kyneton, Romsey, Kilmore and Gisborne) and I see them as core personnel for the next 10 to 15 years.
He made particular reference to Ben Plant, Joe Carbone, Danica Munro, Kristian Fenwick and Trent Germain.
The indoor and outdoor facilities at the Pipers Creek farm property are first class, and provide access to undulating tracks and plenty of room in the surrounding areas.
Racing appears to have survived better than many other sports, but what happens over the Spring Carnival, with COVID lurking and lockdown still in place, is yet to be determined.
