Rock a spur for training return

JORDAN GERRANS OWNERSHIP of a former Far North-based horse sparked the passion of Tolga horseman Allan Paterson to regain his training licence.

Paterson previously trained on the Atherton Tablelands in the late 1990s, before moving south to work out of Port Macquarie and Ballina, and will today have his first two starters since back in early 2011.

In January of 2011, Paterson was working one of his horses on the beach in New South Wales before the trainer had a terrible fall and was eventually told by doctors not to ride.

“It was pretty bad,” Paterson said this week ahead of his return to training at Gordonvale Turf Club.

“I do not recall what happened, I just woke up in hospital.

“I had bleeding on the brain and the doctors advised me to be careful and not ride for a while, and I have not until just recently.”

He eventually returned to the Far North and purchased Rock Spur, now trained by Gary Duncan out of Caloundra, but was previously in the yard of Samantha Molino at Tolga.

The six-year-old Rock Spur collected four wins around the north, reviving Paterson’s interest in the game.

“I love training and horses,” Paterson said.

“Rock Spur was the spark that got me back in and going.

“And, then I went down and bought a few more and I am training these ones now, Toff Rocks and Presidential Joy.”

Since transferring south to Duncan’s stables, Rock Spur has had two indifferent runs at Doomben but the owner is confident the $113,225 stakes earner is improving.

Will former Victorian pair Toff Rocks and Presidential Joy be as exciting to Paterson as Rock Spur? He is hopeful. “It will take time for them to adapt to the new environment but they are looking good and I am hopeful they will perform well,” Paterson said.

“They are doing all the right things in the their work.

“Toff Rocks has shown some potential.”