Toil on the soil

– Brad Kingsbury
TRACKWORK at Cranbourne is on rain, hail or shine – in winter, summer, autumn or spring.
The racing industry never takes a break and neither, therefore, do the people behind the scenes that are largely responsible for putting on the show day-in, day-out.
From about 4.30am every day there will be something to see, or hear, or experience at the training complex.
Hope dominates the place.
While Robbie Laing’s staff usher a seemingly never-ending stream of horses in and out of his stalls before and after their work, neighbouring trainer Stephen Theodore watched most of his horses go through their paces in the adjacent swimming pool.
Nearby jockeys including Mark Flaherty, Sally Wynne and Jade DaRose scurry between trackwork rides, while Sam Hyland is kept busy by his father Pat and brothers Matthew and Chris.
Leading trainers Robbie Griffiths and Greg Eurell peruse their equine brood astutely, looking for any signs of wear or fatigue, while Colin Davies and his daughter Jo cajole their steeds in unique style before they are sent to the track for their training runs.
Star hoop Vlad Duric wanders through the stables and says Gidday to several well-wishers.
It’s 7.30am and he’s just returned to Cranbourne from Flemington where he put Gai Waterhouse’s Cups fancy Tuesday Joy through its paces.
The atmosphere remains active and there is always something going on, but that’s the nature of the place.
In fact it’s the nature of racing.