By Duane Ranger. (Courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The trials jockey, who for almost three decades mocked her father for being a harness racing trainer, has now herself trained her 25th career winner.
And if that wasn’t good enough Fern Vale horsewoman, Megan Gee, also drove Viewbytherock to his ninth victory following the fourth race at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday.
The 38-year-old also owns him.
“If I told you I would be doing this a decade ago I would have laughed at you. I’ve always loved horses, but preferred gallopers. I got my trials licence in my teens and then got too tall.
“I’d never been in a cart until I was almost 30. I’d often given Dad a bit of a jibe about the ‘standies’. I was a thoroughbred girl and never thought I would have to sit behind one. I always told Dad I liked to be up high and see where I’m going – not stuck behind two rumps,” Gee said.
But that all changed when her father, Geoff, asked her to return from Queensland to help him train his team in South Australia.
“I did it reluctantly, and after being around horses all my life, Dad finally talked me into getting in the gig. The moment I did my whole attitude changed. What an adrenalin rush – and I’ve loved it since,” Gee said.
Come May 4, 2012, Gee drove her first race-day winner when she got the Faye Worrell trained Four Starzzz Art up to win the eighth race by a short half-head.
Then fast forward six years and one month and Gee then trained her first winner behind Puddinhead in the race one at Globe Derby Park. That was June 30, 2018.
“I saw him advertised and just loved his name so I bought him. I owned him but drove him for his previous trainer, Jill Neilson. That was until I got my trainers’ licence.”
Since then Gee has become an accomplished horsewoman having driven 62 winners since May 2012 and 25 more as a trainer.
“I love what I do. I just have Viewbytherock and that suits me fine, even though I would love to buy a trotter one day. I also work for Darrel Graham, so I’m immersed in harness racing now.
“Who would have thought?” Gee said.
She said one of her career highlights was driving a treble at Globe Derby Park on Friday April 2017, when she was successful behind the John Hill trained Blackntan in race one; the Jill Neilson trained Puddinhead in race three; and the Neilson trained Muscle Hillbilly in race eight.
“That was a career highlight. I had quite a bit of success with Jill. She had a lot of nice young horses. Muscle Hillbilly was 2yo Trotter-of-the-Year.
“I also owned and drove a Group Two winner for Jill named Somebeachsomegift. That was the 3yo South Cross Final at Globe Derby Park (July 29, 2017).
“I also use to ride Chuck Wagon, who went on to win Trotters Cups. The owner praised me for changing him into a solid trotter. He earnt more than $120,000 after I drove him – so it’s not hard to see how I got addicted in this sport,” Gee said.
Gee was born in Blacktown in New South Wales, but because she didn’t like school she left at a young age and worked as a junior in a Sydney law firm.
“When I was about 16, I started riding track work, and then when I was 19, I moved to Queensland, and worked in promotions and then did some security work.
“I missed horses so much. I couldn’t stay away from them. That’s when I decided to go and do some track work for Barry Baldwin at Eagle Farm.
“I actually started my apprenticeship then. But Dad needed help and I decided to go to South Australia to give him a hand. It suited because I was getting too big, and harness racing seemed an easier option at the time,” Gee said.
She had no intention of getting her harness licences but once she sat in the bike, she was hooked.
“I used to mock Dad about the wobblies. Then the moment I sat behind one, I apologised and went full on. I got my trials licence and started my driving career in South Australia.
“When Dad started to wind down, I worked for Jill and that’s where I had my most success. After that I went to Victoria and trained a few in my own name.
“I was away from Queensland for nine years, and returned in March. I’m here to stay now. I love the weather and I enjoy the racing here,” Gee said.
Gee took the lead with Viewbytherock from gate three after 400 metres, and from that point, she controlled all the pace to win by 2.2 metres.
The $1.50 favourite paced the 1,780m in 2:12 even (mile rate 1:59.4) and his sectionals were 30, 31.6, 28.9, and 30.2.
It was the 7-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding’s ninth win in 68 starts ($38,472) and third this season.
Viewbytherock has been nominated again for the Redcliffe meeting on Thursday.
Footnote: Gee also sponsors a foundation called PACING FOR THE CURE and every win she gets she donates a $1 to help people with Multiple Sclerosis.
“I was the first Australian to be a part of it all. It helped my best mate Andrew (Lydeamore) buy a wheelchair for him,” Gee said.
“Megan is just a wonderful person who would go out of her way to help anyone. Megan is also the first person to sign up to Pacing For The Cure which helped us hugely,” Lydeamore added.
