Northern’s Win Brightens a Bleak Week for Kliese Team

New stable addition Northern On Tap delivered a ray of light on a dark week for Belynda and Graham Kliese with a stunning all-the-way win at Cluden Park on Thursday.

Northern On Tap’s win was Belynda’s first victory as a trainer and came just six days after husband Graham suffered two broken wrists in a sickening race fall in the Cluden straight.

“It made a terrible week a lot better. It was very exciting,” Belynda said.

“I was just hoping he could keep going. It was extremely emotional, and it meant a lot, and to brighten Graham’s spirits up as well.”

“We’ve just had such a bad run with injuries to our jockeys lately. 

“Wanderson (D’Avila) was to ride him but got hurt this morning.

“We were lucky enough to get Tahlia Fenlon to ride him and she did a fantastic job.”

Northern On Tap was having just his second start for the Klieses after they bought the five-year-old for $6000 in October last year, primarily to tackle country races.

The gelding had one run in Cairns before he was sent for a spell, but according to Belynda he was showing signs he was ready to run a big race first-up.

“We bought him to take around the country, not as a Townsville TAB horse…but we’ll take it,” she said.

“He popped up and I think we got him for a steal and he’s rewarded us at only his second race.

“He’d been working really well. In the end it worked out well that Innisfail was called off the other week. That’s where he was heading.

“If he can repeat that run it looks like we could have a bit of fun with him.”

Northern On Tap’s win also had a nostalgic twist.

He carried colours based on those used by Belynda’s late grandfather Jim Doherty who was a top trainer, particularly of young horses.

It was their first day in use and the Klieses plan to use them for more of their horses.

“I strapped for my grandfather when I was kid and that’s how I got into the industry… and then married a jockey,” Belynda said.

“His colours were not in my name so I just went as close as I could get and they were lucky. I’ll put them all in them now.”

For now, training is part-time for Belynda who is a store manager for Best N Less.

She said she took out a licence to ease the workload of training and riding for husband Graham.

“I’m really lucky I work for a great company. They allowed me to cut my hours back so I could do both and I’m extremely grateful for their support,” she said.

Meantime, gun two-year-old Better Blitzem coasted through a two-horse contest to remain unbeaten and Sweet Kisses was brave in her win in open company over 1400m.

The two wins gave trainer Georgie Holt extender her lead on top of the Cluden premiership ladder with 18 wins.