Kliese Joins City’s Training Ranks at New Complex

Veteran jockey Graham Kliese will begin a new chapter in a storied racing career when he saddles up his first runners as a trainer at Cluden Park on Thursday.

Kliese, a multiple premiership winning jockey will enjoy his first day as a dual licence holder with three starters of his own.

After more than 40 years in the saddle and 1290 career winners, Kliese has taken over the training of eight horses from friend and trainer Ben Williams who is having a break from the industry.

This week, he was the first trainer to take up boxes in the Townsville Turf Club’s new $10 million state-of-the-art stabling complex at Cluden.

“It wasn’t just a decision I made, it was a decision for both myself and my wife Belynda,” Kliese said.

“In 12 months or 18 months I’m probably done with riding and that would be it - we’d be out of the game.

“Racing’s been a lifelong thing for both of us so we came to the decision to have a go.

“I have to say though, I would never have done this if these stables weren’t here. No way in the world would I have done it.

“How good is it to have a set up like this. Belynda and I, with a bit of help, can handle eight horses here quite easily.

“The idea of training really only came into my head when work started on building the stables.

“I didn’t expect to go gang busters like I did, but I did mention it to Ben. He was thinking of having a break so it all happened a bit sooner than I thought it would.

“We then of course had to run it by the owners to make sure they were happy to have a “3kg claiming trainer” come in and take over.

“His main owner is Sue Hammer and I’ve ridden plenty of winners for Sue and she was happy with it. Ben owns a couple and I was lucky enough to retain the three-year-old Smart Mission who Ben Humphries owns.

“I appreciate the fact that they’ve let me keep them and entrusted me to train them.

“Ben and I have had a relationship that goes back years and we’ve been pretty successful.

“He’s been overseeing a lot of it so I didn’t come into it trying to reinvent the wheel.

“Jockeys don’t necessarily make good trainers but I’ve worked with a lot of very successful trainers. I’ve always played a part in the prep of horses and I think I can make a good fist of it.”

Kliese will have rides on the day but won’t be in the saddle on his three starters - Kiss Me Later (Ivo Fry) and You Are King (Wanderson D’Avila) in The Defiant O’Brien’s BM70 Hcp (1000m) and Smart Mission in the RJ & The Foot-Tay QTIS 3YO Hcp (1000m).

The conditions of a dual licence prevent him from riding in a race where he has more than one runner, and he has booked Justin Stanley for Smart Mission.

“I’ll have to wait for another day to ride my own. With the first two that’s just the rules but I booked Justin for Smart Mission because I think he’ll suit him better even though I’ve won on him.

“You’ve got to do the right thing by the owners.

“I think they’ll all run well but they’re up against good fields and they’ll be improved for the run. 

“Both Belynda and I are really looking forward to just getting our first runners on the track.”

Meanwhile, Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham will continue a concerted campaign to claim his first Townsville trainers’ premiership with three runners on the eight event card.

Massingham has claimed 16 winners this season and trails defending title holder Georgie Holt premiership by one win with four race meetings to go.

A key trainer for major owner Tom Hedley, Massingham has strong prospects on Thursday with Sophia Mabel Mdn Hcp (1000m), Lidder Valley in the Liam O’Brien Mem. Open Hcp (1200m) and Lean Eagle in the Rhinestone North Cowboys C3 Hcp (1200m).

“For sure this is my best season in Townsville. We’re just one win behind Georgie. We’re not going to stop trying,” Massingham said.

“I think we’ve got seven weeks to go. The last month we’ll ramp up really hard with some nice horses and give it a red hot crack.

“Maybe six weeks ago I was talking to Tom and we were talking about premierships and I said we’re holding our own in Townsville and he said why don’t we focus on having a crack because we’ll win the one at home.

“I’ve never won a Townsville premiership. Always been competitive coming here a fair bit but never brings that many runners.

“At the end of the day it would be nice for us to win it. It’d be an achievement for sure.

“I set myself a goal at the start of the year to train 50 winners for the season. We’re on 47 today so we’re going well.

“I think all three of mine will run  well Thursday.

“Golden Octavian has the gear change with a set of winkers on him and draws a good gate.

“The other two drew badly. Lidder Valley, we’re just going to ride quiet and go back and let him finish off.

Lean Eagle drew 15 which is disappointing but we’ll take our medicine and go back and use his good turn of foot.

“He’s always shown ability but he’s been like a big kid. 

“The day he learns to chill out and relax they’ll know what it’s all about.

“It’s a big field Thursday but if he can have a bit of luck they’ll know he’s there.”