Shez Bella NZ Photo by NZ Harness Photos
CHAMPION thoroughbred trainer Graeme Rogerson's "hobby" will take him into at least two major Victorian trotting races in the coming weeks.
The 74-year-old Rogerson trains "about 130" thoroughbreds; he and harness partner Dylan Ferguson also have 30 harness horses in work at his Hamilton property in NZ's North Island.
"It's always been my hobby; I love it. But I guess it's a bit bigger than a hobby," Rogerson laughed.
"I've trained almost 500 harness winners, and just the other day, Dylan (Ferguson) and I brought up our 50th winner together in partnership."
This from a man who has trained more than 5000 thoroughbred winners, including victories in the Melbourne Cup (Efficient in 2007), Cox Plate (Savabeel in 2004) and Golden Slipper (Polar Success in 2003).
Ferguson arrived in Victoria with three-year-old trotting pair Shez Bella and Lovemeto on Sunday. They have settled well at Nathan Jack's Shepparton property.
Lovemeto is part-owned by Victorians Merv and Meg Butterworth, who are long-time friends of Rogerson.
Both young trotters stepped out at Cambridge last Thursday night.
While Shez Bella scored a brilliant first-up win in record time, Rogerson was just as impressed with Lovemeto's work between races.
"I'd love to have given Lovemeto a race before heading across, but there wasn't anything suitable for him," he said.
"He'll have a lead-up race over there before the heats of the (Victoria Trotters') Derby."
The Derby heats are at Maryborough on October 22, and the Group 1 final at the same track a week later.
Shez Bella, who won by almost 12 lengths at Cambridge, will go straight into the Group 1 Victoria Trotters' Oaks.
"It was great to see her come back and win like that the other night,"
Rogerson said. "She had a few things go wrong last time in work.
"Merv (Butterworth) tells me there are some nice three-year-old trotters in Victoria, but I'll be surprised if our pair aren't very competitive."
"We think so much of the filly, she may even go on and run in the Derby as well if she goes as well as we expect in the Oaks."
Fillies Pink Galah (2020) and Une Belle Allure (2017) have beaten the boys in two of the past Victoria Trotters' Derbys.
