Diamonds a last play for trainer before break

AN exhausted Niall Phillips will take a break after deciding not to renew his trainers’ licence for the 2017-18 racing season.

The Geelong trainer will have his final two runners — High Diamonds (race seven) and Zeusman (race 10) — on his home track today.

Phillips said he was keen to get away from training after more than three decades in the racing industry.

“I just have been having a good think about it over the past six months. I’m just getting tired, a bit fatigued, my body is getting a bit sore,” he said.

“I had a look around the team, the horses we had, and in three to six months we’d probably be at the same stage (as we are now).

“I’ve just lost the spark. I’m going to be 48 next month and I’ve missed out on a lot of family time and that sort of thing because it’s seven days a week.”

Local trainers are likely to take over training his horses, while Michael Roebuck will move into his Geelong stables.

Phillips said he was hopeful of his green and gold silks returning to the winner’s stalls today.

High Diamonds, owned by George and Anne Draper, would be a fairytale final winner for him.

“Mr and Mrs Draper have been with me for 15 years and it would be lovely to win a race for them,” he said.

“If she won it would be an emotional one for me, to see the colours go past (the winning post again).

“George and I have been through a lot. He has been there with me the whole way and not only been a client but a super mentor for me as well.

“I look at George and Anne as parents to me over here.”

The Irishman said he was open to a return once he had a chance to freshen up.

“I haven’t committed to anything yet. I want to sit back, rest up and then have a look around,” Phillips said.

“I haven’t ruled it out (finding a job in the industry).

“I’ve met some really lovely people, trained for some lovely people, so I don’t look back with any regrets.”