From Bush Ponies to Cluden Winners

From the day Megan Purvis raced other kids on bush ponies in the small town of Talwood near Goodiwindi, she knew a future in racing was a done deal.

Days away from her 25th birthday, the rookie trainer is now making her mark in the North and will saddle up her 100th starter tomorrow at Cluden Park just seven months into a budding new career.

Purvis relocated to Townsville in April with her partner, leading Dalby trainer, David Reynolds and the couple have landed 11 winners from their new base at Jensen.

It’s been a rapid rise for a young woman who only ventured into racing five years ago after deciding an office job wasn’t for her. 

“My family’s background was in pony club and a bit of show jumping - I’ve always had a love for horses, as a kid growing up with our ponies,” Purvis said. 

“At Talwood we used to go up there and ride our bush ponies around the outside of the race track and pretend we were jockeys.

“I originally wanted to be a jockey, but I liked my food too much and it’s a life commitment.

“So I thought being a trainer was the next best thing and that’s been the go.

“I worked in medical centres before that and I just hated it.”

Purvis has spent the past five years working in stables for various trainers including Lindsay Hatch and Mark Curry in Toowoomba and her partner Reynolds in Dalby.

She says she’s enjoying riding track work, and the new the training role and has settled into life in the North.

“It’s been a good move and we’re pretty happy how it’s working out,’ Purvis said.

“Gavin and Casey Kinlyside offered us boxes and a place up here and we knew the company was a bit easier than down there with trainers from Victoria making their way up to the Gold Coast and making it a bit tougher.

“So we decided to make our way further north.

“It’s a great set up here – we have 12 boxes, six yards and five paddocks, a swim and treadmill and we’re only a short drive from the beach.

“I’ve got nine in work and David has a couple, but he’s gradually stepping back and giving me the reins and getting me going.

“I’m pretty happy with how we’ve started but there was a few I was disappointed with like Rather Salubrious and Miss Bulitz who won one nice race but didn’t seem to cope.

“But a few I didn’t expect to fire did, so it’s been good so far.”

Two stand outs for the stable have been My Best Effort and Gdansk, who between them have won five races in the north.

My Best Effort was a $5000 purchase last year at a Magic Millions mares sale and shapes as Purvis’ best chance at Cluden tomorrow in the Open Hcp (1000m) with stable jockey Pietro Romeo to ride.

The Brazen Beau mare has won two races in Cairns and another in Bowen, but is yet to break through at Cluden in three starts.

Her last start third to Matterhorn last week, beaten less than a length under 61kg has Pervis optimistic about her chances.

“She drops to 54.5kg and she’s got to be a fair chance,” Purvis said.

“Chevy Nova’s a new one running in the Benchmark 65 and I think he’s a good place chance.”

The seven-event Cluden card kicks off with the Racing Queensland Supports Racing Industry Safety Open Hcp at 1.48pm.

Pictured: Young trainer Megan Purvis (far right), David Reynolds and jockey Pietro Romeo all smiles after a feature race win at Cluden with Miss Bulitz.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race day