STABLETALK’s condolences go out to the Templeton family, with the death of Alec ‘Jock’ Templeton after a long battle with cancer. Jock’s influence on racing in Gippsland and the surrounding region was immense, and will continue, with sons Cameron, Michael and Paul all involved in the industry as trainers. “He had huge influence on us boys, whether guiding us into training or riding,” Cameron said. The 76-year-old passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.
THOSE buying or selling houses with local Real Estate Agent, Gerard Collins, can expect to be greeted with a smile after the Greg Eurell trained We’ve Got This saluted at his first career start at Cranbourne recently. Included in ownership of the three-year-old Hard Spun gelding are agents Derrick Brown, Phil Caswell, Steve Hobson along with Steve O’Loughlin whose first venture into horse ownership has proved quite successful – giving him family bragging rights. O’Loughlin’s son Dan, also struck gold with his first horse, Heez Born Lucky, but had to wait until his second race start to get the choccies.
PAKENHAM horseman Ross Elliott felt it more than most when news came through that champion New Zealand galloper, Rough Habit, had passed away recently. Elliott was the rider when Rough Habit won his first race in Australia in the 1990 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm and rode the gelding into second place at his last race start at Te Rapa in August 1995. Elliott was track-work rider for Rough Habit in two forays to the Japan Cup and was aboard the dual New Zealand Racehorse of the Year when he ran a nose second to Solvit in the 1994 W.S. Cox Plate.
PAKENHAM-based jockey Brian Werner almost claimed a coveted win at the Flemington Spring Carnival, finishing second aboard the Tom Hughes trained Chill Party in a $150,000 Listed stakes race on Oaks Day. Chill Party, who won races with Werner aboard at Kyneton and Wangaratta leading into Flemington, has been nominated for this Saturday’s $300,000 Sportingbet Sandown Guineas (1600m).
A CHANGE of stables has worked wonders for eight-year-old gelding, Tanah Lot, part-owned by Pakenham trainer Tom Scanlon and his son Paul, the finance manager at the Pakenham Racing Club. Since making the switch from the Caulfield stables of Colin Little, to Chris Hyland at Cranbourne, the son of Street Cry has found form, running close-up thirds at both Moonee Valley and Cranbourne. Tanah Lot is nominated for Moonee Valley on Friday and also for the $150,000 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
