LEADING THE WAY ON LADIES DAY
BLAZING SADDLES: Trainer Joanna Hassett and strapper Kerry Walker with It and a Bit at Cluden ahead of today’s Ladies Day Race Day.
ASK Wulguru trainer Joanna Hassett the secret to preparing horses and the answer is immediate: “Patience”.
Hassett received her training licence nine years ago, following in the footsteps of her late father Gordon and grandfather Dave.
She will be one of the women looking to make their mark on Ladies Day at Townsville Turf Club today with Miss Fury in the opening race, her sole runner.
“My dad passed away about six years ago, but it ( training) has been handed down the line,” Hassett said.
“Growing up he taught me all the foundations and common horse sense.
“It’s about patience with the horse, and patience with the owners.
“They want to see results and money in the bank account, but you and the horse can only do so much.
“Ever since I was a kid I helped my father with his race horses, and since I left school I’ve always been involved with horses as a stablehand.”
Kerry Walker has been a stablehand for prominent Cluden trainer Terry Butts for around 15 years.
Every day she arrives at the stables about 5am and completes track work on the horses, before heading to her day job as an administration officer for the Queensland government.
“Terry and I have a really good understanding. I don’t have to do the work, but it’s a hobby and I love it,” Walker said.
“I get up at five, help feed and water the horses, load them up and then ride track work.
“I do everything, other than ride them on race day.
“Mum and dad had nothing to do with horses when I grew up ( in Brisbane), but there was a shetland pony across the road where we lived and the love of it grew from there.”
The number of female jockeys getting opportunities in the industry is growing by the year, with Bonnie Thomson ( 19 wins) nipping at the heels of Townsville premiership leader Wanderson D’Avila ( 20).
“From the jockey side of things it works in the girls’ favour.
“A lot of them are natural light weights,” Hassett said.
“I’m not saying Michelle Payne paved the way. It was already paved but with her winning the Melbourne Cup ( in 2015), it helped a little bit with changing perceptions.”