Templeton takes top award
Labertouche based racehorse trainer Cameron Templeton has taken out the Pakenham Racing Club’s trainer of the year award for the fifth year.
Cameron took out the double, also winning horse of the year with his mare Nadeem’s Melody.
It was the fifth time Cameron’s name was inscribed on the trainer’s trophy, winning it every year since 2012. The club did not award the trophy in 2014 when it relocated from Pakenham to Tynong.
Cameron has been training horses for 10 years, relocating to a new property at Labertouche from Bunyip about 14 months ago.
Accepting the trophy from Pakenham Racing Club chief executive Michael Hodge, Cameron acknowledged the support of his wife Kim and owners who had been loyal to him over the years.
“It can be a tough gig and it’s good to have that support at home and from owners.
He said he currently had some good young horses in work and hoped there would be many more successful days ahead.
Nadeem’s Melody, a six-year-old mare, was named the club’s horse of the year. She has had six career wins from 33 starts, plus two second placings and three thirds with total earnings of more than $82,000.
The mare is owned by Kim Templeton, Eddie and Lyn Deluise.
Cameron said Nadeem’s Melody had been a good mare to them and was now in foal.
“She had a heart like a lion and won races she shouldn’t have,” he said.