By DAVID NAGEL
PAKENHAM Racing Club’s new state-of-the-art training facility at Tynong is already rolling out the winners with Michael Phillips and Paul Kramer the first local trainers to taste success.
Phillips struck first, and most emphatically, when his six-year-old mare Grey Chloe toyed with her rivals over the 1740-metre trip at Sale on Saturday 2 August.
Perfectly ridden by local-hoop Brian Werner, Grey Chloe settled back in the 11-horse field before making a well-timed run to win by nearly three lengths on the line.
The following day Kramer’s five-year-old chestnut gelding Prince Rahy made it three wins from his last four starts, settling on pace before scoring by a neck in the $15,000 Benchmark-70 Handicap over 1000-metres at Bairnsdale.
A $6000 purchase from Scone trainer Greg Bennett, the son of Rahy, has proved a wise investment with his win at Bairnsdale taking his earnings to a tick under $33,000 in just five starts for the stable.
“We had trouble with his feet and he was struggling to eat when we first got him home,” Kramer said.
“We’ve used the water-walker at Monomeith and Col McKinlay (farrier) has done a great job with him.
“He’s licking his bin out now and getting stronger all the time.”
Kramer and Phillips are just two former Pakenham trainers that have reunited under the roof and bright lights at Tynong.
Another is Matt Leek who has taken on the role of vice-president of the Pakenham Trainers Association and he is delighted to be back home.
“It’s bloody fantastic, under cover, bright lights, with great visibility and it’s great to be back with the locals,” Leek said.
“There’s been bit of a changing of the guard with the trainers association with John Gunning and Terrence Ahern having moved on and some younger trainers have stepped up to take on the roles.
“Dean Grass, Tim Hughes, Tara Cochrane and I are now involved while Tom Scanlon is still there to give a bit of stability,” he said.
“It’s exciting times ahead.”
