A long career with horses
Cheverie’s passion has resulted in a lengthy and successful career
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. – Walter Cheverie developed a love of horses as a teenager. That connection led to a 45-year-plus career in standardbred racing that is still active today.
"The thing about the racetrack is you could always go out there, hang around and find something to do," said Cheverie, who began jogging horses at historic Summerside Raceway when he was 15 years old.
Now 62, Cheverie continues to own, train and drive horses. He will be in the spotlight on Saturday, July 10, as he steers nine-year-old Rose Run Quest from Post 2 in the 53rd running of the $25,000 Governor's Plate, presented by Summerside Chrysler Dodge, at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.
"A classy, classy old horse," said Cheverie. "A couple of old veterans getting together."
Although Cheverie describes the Governor's Plate as just another race, he understands what it means to win it. He experienced those feelings in 2000 with Barney Baron.
"It's Prince County's race, and I'm a Prince County boy," said Cheverie. "The people of Prince County are very supportive of harness racing."
LEARNED FROM THE BEST
After high school, Cheverie went to work as a groom for the legendary Joe O'Brien in Shafter, Calif. O'Brien, born in Alberton, had between 70 and 90 horses under his care at certain times of the year.
"There is none better (than O'Brien)," said Cheverie, who resides in Nine Mile Creek. "(O'Brien) was a consummate horseman. … He was very
good to me. I didn't have a clue what I was doing (when I started)."
Cheverie said one of the many lessons he learned from O'Brien is when and when not to train horses. He pointed out O'Brien would never train horses, especially young horses, unless they were not 100 per cent ready.
After working with O'Brien, Cheverie went on to work in Los Angeles. His career also included stops in New York and Ottawa. Now, he is happy his career has brought him full circle back home to Prince Edward Island.
"The horse game has been really good to me," said Cheverie. "It's great for young kids.
"Anyone with any troubles, you get around a horse and working with a horse 1-on1, it's a great thing for your mind. It gives you great satisfaction. Joe was like that. He was always happy and smiling when he was around the horses. You could see the love.”
RESPECT
Cheverie has earned the respect of fellow drivers. Kenny Arsenault said Cheverie is one of the better drivers he has driven against for 30-some years.
“He’s safe, he’s very heady on the racetrack and he’s a real gentleman to drive against,” said Arsenault. “But then again, he has a bad temper, too!”
Marc Campbell, who will drive Time To Dance in the Governor’s Plate, has a long association with Cheverie. Campbell described Cheverie as very talented and said he remembers watching him drive horses as a kid.
“He drove horses for my grandfather and drove horses for me when I was younger,” said Campbell. “He can make horses go. To still be doing what he’s doing after a few bad bang-ups, he loves the game, loves doing it.”
After an impressive 1:52.3 victory in the first Governor’s Plate elimination on July 5 and drawing the rail for the final, Time To Dance is the favourite for Prince County’s most prestigious standardbred race.
Campbell acknowledged he is starting from a good spot.
“I think we are going to push out pretty hard,” said Campbell. “I think there will be a couple (of horses) who will try me (off the start), but I know if I get my horse off on the right foot, he can leave with them just as well as they can leave with him.”
Cheverie acknowledged Time To Dance is the horse to beat. He said Gilles Barrieau qualified two nice horses – Mc Pat and Day Delight – and the Mitch Downey-driven Blood Money is another strong entry.
“I know we are public enemy No. 1, and it’s not going to be a walk in the park,” said Campbell, who has driven the winning horse in three of the last five Governor’s Plates. “We definitely have the horse to do it, I believe, and he seems good. We have a good starting spot, and the rest is up to me.”
As for his approach, Cheverie said he’ll let Rose Run Quest decide that behind the starting gate.
“If he wants to muscle up and get on the gate and leave out of there, I will let him leave,” said Cheverie.
“If he wants to cross over, I’ll let him. Those old horses know what they are doing.”