In this segment Bernie reflects on his search for the ideal standardbred training property. He found the place of his dreams at George’s Plains. He pays tribute to the talented horses who’ve helped him along in a tough business. Bernie elaborates on his liking for younger horses. He’s never been one to hang onto older horses forever. He prefers to move them on in order to try a new batch.
Bernie recalls his freakish fall at Eugowra recently, and the injuries he sustained. He looks back on early days on the farm at Crookwell (NSW) and the lessons he learned from his late father Tom. Bernie reflects on the neighbor’s horse that gave him his first winning drive. The master horseman remembers Nikalong Shadow the first really good horse he got to drive. Tom Hewitt trained Nikalong Shadow but Bernie drove him to 43 wins. Bernie talks about the offer from a prominent owner/breeder which prompted his move from Crookwell to Bathurst twenty years ago.
Brilliant WA apprentice Jade McNaught reflects on her history making feat at the Belmont track on September 14th 2019, when she became the first apprentice in the state to win six races in one day on a metro track. Jade talks of her decision to become an apprentice jockey at age 30, twice the age of most junior riders. She reflects on her first two ponies and her achievements at pony club and in the show ring. Jade remembers the experience she gained working with performance horses and on a well known WA stud farm. Jade McNaught’s journey has been an inspiring one. She talks to us from the Geraldton races at the end of a four hour road trip from Perth.
