By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
You couldn’t blame Queensland horseman, Mick Benham, for feeling all shook up at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday afternoon.
The 56-year-old Bellara trainer has his buddy ‘Elvis’, aka – Deecee Rockin – to thank for several hand-shakes, after the A Rocknroll Dance gelding won his first race – the Dan Costello Maiden Pace by 1.3 metres.
Deecee Rockin, who drew three, was impressive leading all the way, pacing the 1,780m mobile in 2:12.8 (mile rate 2:00.1). The red-hot favourite, The Waterboy, was second.
‘Elvis’, a 3-year-old brown gelding is owned by his Newcastle co-breeder, Chris Daskalovski, who shared in the breeding with, recognised New South Wales stud master Darren Reay. Taleah McMullen did the driving.
“I’m pleased for Chris. We have known his family for 25 years. It’s a great feeling, especially after he was beaten by more than 70 metres in his first trial up here on October 27. As he got used to his surroundings the penny dropped and he started to improve.
“So much so Taleah said she really liked him. That was a great front-running drive by her. Taleah is a very good driver, and we are proud of both her and ‘Elvis’,” Benham said.
‘Elvis’ placed in four trials in Newcastle in January and February, and then first up at Redcliffe (October 27) he finished last his trial by 73.4 metres.
“Then his attitude changed. He won his next Redcliffe trial on November 9, and then placed in three more before he making his debut on Thursday.
That was Benham’ sixth training success of the season and 30th since he took out his training license in 2013-2014.
Benham is just two wins shy of his best season he recorded in 2014-2015.
“It’s been a good season – a good week in fact. My older brother Steven also trained a winner a day earlier on the same track (Doolittle Days – race seven). We train separately but out of the same Wamuran stable,” Benham said.
“Our family has always loved harness racing. Dad (Kevin) was trainer a driver, but he also trained standardbreds, and a lot of our relations had horses. We were always around them as kids,” he added.
He said his eldest brother, Lawrence, works in the Railways, and youngest brother Rodney lives in Melbourne.
“Three of us (including Rodney) got the bug,” McKay born, and Redcliffe educated Benham said.
When he left Redcliffe State High School in the early 1980s, Benham went and worked for the late John Kann in Redcliffe, followed by Laurie Smith, Kyle Williamson, and then Alan McConachie.
“Steve and I both have five horses in work each at the moment. Rollonx (nine wins so far) is the best horse I’ve got in work, and he’s right up there with Scott Tom (six wins) as potentially the best horse I’ve had,” said Benham who relocated to Bellara 10 years ago after owning a carpet shop in Ipswich for 10 years.
“It all depends which Rollonx shows up on the day though. He has got a few personalities,” he joked.
Benham’s first training success came via Left In Command at Marburg in June 2013.
Benham, who has been married to Anne for 25 years, has two daughters Trais (Lambie) and Sarah (Benham), plus two grand-daughters, Ava and Micheala – who is named after him.
Meanwhile, owner and co-breeder, Daskalovski, said who is by Rocknroll Dance, is the last of six foals out of the 2000 Classic Garry one-win mare, Voo Doo Girl.
“He is a half-brother to three winners, including foal number five, the 2014 Tiz A Masterpiece Newcastle-based gelding, Jasper Styles (1:54.1), who has currently won eight of his 62 starts and placed in 22 others for $81,384 in purses,”
Daskalovski said Camvale trainer Reay (Darren) put ‘Elvis’ in work as a late 2-year-old.
“We wanted to see if Darren could unleash his potential, trying all his tricks to get him interested. That didn’t prevail but Darren definitely recognises that ‘Elvis’ could make a name for himself, but at the same time he also realised it wasn’t in his stable.
“Darren gave Chris the reins to seek a different direction and to Darren’s credit and understanding of not all horses can be painted with the same brush, he gave his blessing to do what’s best for the horse,” Daskalovski said.
Daskalovski then asked longtime friends, the Benham brothers for advice and a probable move to the Sunshine State.
“After long discussions on the probable move and other interests in New South Wales we decided that ‘Elvis’ would go to Queensland.
“A program was then set in motion for Elvis to maybe trigger the potential Darren had identified. The rest was up to Michael and Stephen,” 52-year-old Daskalovski said.
“I’d like to thank you for this story as it’s important to profile trainers and you have given a great opportunity to people to see how small country trainers do their thing, and how harness racing isn’t always about winning.
“Some people win by just getting horses to achieve personal best and if a horse can collect some cheques on the way, then it’s a bonus. The thrill we all got from ‘Elvis” on Thursday meant more the any amount of money – although the money is always welcome.
“This is how Michael and Stephen roll. They work hard’, but think harder and can improve most horses. These guys deserve some spotlight,” Daskalovski said.
Footnote: Elvis was nicknamed by Reay, incorporating his father’s (A Rocknroll Dance) name.
The human equivalent of ‘Elvis” pictured aboard a thoroughbred in the 1960s. Presley was a huge fan of horses, but not as huge as Mick Benham.
