By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Forty-three years after being lured into harness racing by a $400 collect, Morayfield mechanic, Graeme Teale, is now more hooked on standardbreds than he has ever been.
The 62-year-old father and grandfather of two, said going to watch his 7-year-old pacer race was now the highlight of his week.
“I can’t wait for the fields to come out to see where ‘Roly’ as drawn. He’s a horse our whole family looks forward to seeing race. He’s also a credit to trainer, Mick Benham,” the man nicknamed ‘Tealey’ said.
“Roley’ is the 17-win pacer, Rollonx, who notched up his 12th win at Redcliffe Paceway on Wednesday evening (October 2). The son of A Rocknroll Dance, who drew four, led all the way in the hands of Layne Dwyer in race eight – the Members Draw – Douglas Davis NR-Up-To-40 Pace.
“He had eight months racing on the trot, and he’s now come back bigger and stronger since the Benham brothers (Mick and Stephen) spelled him for a couple of months in late July.
‘Roley’ hasn’t finished further back than fifth since then, and looks like a whole new horse. His coat is shiny, and he’s a real ‘doer’ who eats everything,” 62-year-old Teale said.
The bay gelding, who is the first, and most successful foal out of the 2008 ten-win Armbro Operative mare, Renayben, was leading the Redcliffe Horse-Of-The-Year title, before he went out for a spell.
“He loves ‘The Triangle’, but that’s not to say he couldn’t win another race in the city. He recorded his fastest mile-rate at Albion Park (1:56.5) in 2019 (September 2). He’s still very strong and sound,” Teale said.
On Wednesday Rollonx stopped the clock in 2:12.4 with a 1:59.7 mile-rate. He never looked like losing from the moment he was hunted to the lead by Dwyer moments after the start. His sectionals thereafter were 29.5, 30.7, 29.6, and 30.9.
It was his fourth victory this year. The three others also came at Redcliffe on January 11, January 24, and March 5.
Teale said he wished he bought Rollonx’s mother, but glad the Benhams did.
“My mate Jeff Brazier, who bred Rollonx, only lives five minutes down the road. I was there when ‘Roley’ was born, and I have watched him grow up, so it’s quite a personal relationship really.
“If the Benhams don’t breed from her next season, I might ask to see if I can put some strong American semen in her. Renayben’s first two foals have both been winners. Roley’s full 6-year-old sister Dig Deep has won twice, and her third foal – Oldgold (3yo Ohoka Punter filly) was the favourite in her third race on Wednesday, but locked wheels down the back straight.
“The mare is expecting an Ultimate Machete foal in a few weeks, and that cross should also produce a winning combination,” Teale said.
Teale said he bought Rollonx after he had just a couple of starts for the Benhams.
“I got onto him through Jeff. She had already won one race from seven starts for her previous owner and trainer before the Benhams got him. he’s now won 16 more for us and placed another 36 times,” said Teale.
All-up Rollonx has now had 148 starts for 17 wins, 39 placings and banked $84,835 in purses.
“He’s almost an ‘eftpos’ machine. He always gives his best. You couldn’t ask for a horse who gives so much. He can be a bit cranky at times, but never around females. I think he might be a bit of a player,” Teale joked.
Teale, who owns ‘Graeme Teale Mechanical’ in Morayfield, reminisced about his introduction into harness racing.
“I was just 19 and my brother-in-law, Russell Rutland, told me to back his horse who was at 20 to one odds. I put $20 on him and the horse won. I was an apprentice mechanic back then and only early $200 a week. When I won $400 I became hooked. Russell first introduced me to the sport when I was 14 in 1976.
“I’ve loved the game since, and when I was 19 I bought my first horse. I’ve had several since then (1981) but “Roley’ has been the best and my favourite by far.”
Born in Charters Towers, Teale was the youngest of five children to Rex and Marlene.
“Dad was a pilot and worked for TAA (Trans Australia Airlines), and ran the Mackay Airport, and I was educated in that town.”
He has been married to Lynette for 43 years this month. They have two daughters – Kirsty and Samantha, and two grandsons named Nate (10) and Noah (8).
“None of this would have been possible without the support of my wife. She has been tremendous, and like my girls, absolutely loves ‘Roley’. I’d love to see ‘Roley’ named Horse-of-the-Year, but if he doesn’t, 20 wins would be a lovely career target,” Teale said.
