By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
If anyone deserved a $14,000 Q-bred bonus at Redcliffe Paceway last Wednesday night (November 19), then it’s Clontarf plumber, Dave Greaves.
The 51-year-old, who was made a Life Member of the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club five years ago, has owned about 60 standardbreds since 2007.
His latest victory came via the Graham Dwyer trained and Angus Garrard-driven juvenile filly, Chloe’s Promise, in race 10 – the Burwood Stud 2yo Maiden Pace – the same stud farm that bred the Changeover filly. The talented bay drew two in the 1,780m mobile, won by 3.8 metres and was the $19 sixth favourite.
Chloe’s Promise, who was named after Greaves’ niece, has now won one of her eight starts for owners –Greaves, Martine Dwyer, Darryl Edwards, and Harry Markwell.
“Dave has been a great servant of the club over 15 years, not just as a loyal owner, and former committee man, but also as our club plumber. He’s been doing our work at a minimum cost over the years, and it’s just so good to see him get a nice stake back,” said RHR Club President, Bernie Ring.
Chloe’s Promise bagged $17,755 for her owners. The Qbred bonus was $14,000 and the winning stake, $3,755.
“She’s a nice filly and Graham has done a splendid job with her. That was also a confident drive by Angus, to sit parked almost throughout the race and then to kick on and win easily. I think Graham said he will spell her now and bring her back as a 3-year-old in the Autumn or Spring,” Greaves said.
He said Dwyer had always liked Chloe’s Promise.
“She went 1:58 when she trialled at Albion Park In fact she won her first four trials before she finished sixth on debut at Redcliffe in April. Graham has taken his time with her, which is great long-term. He actually spelled her after five races in June, and she’s now had three races back this time, for two fifths and this win – all at Redcliffe,” Greaves said.
He said he paid $8,000 to Burwood Stud for Chloes Promise at the last year’s annual Redcliffe Yearling Sale at ‘The Paceway’. See photo. She is the sixth and last foal out of the late four-win As Promised mare, Perfect Promise.
Greaves is no stranger to attending Redcliffe Yearling Sales. In fact, he’s bought several yearlings over the years – the best of them was in 2021 when he paid Daren Garrard $20,000 for a Changeover – Mathilda Diventa (Cammibest) gelding named, Quik Change.
“Not many owners get to win a Group One. That was three months ago, and I’m still smiling. Quik Change won three races for us, including his last two in a row. His first came in the Qbred 2yo Classic Final at Albion Park in May, and he won again twice in August before being spelled.
“I’ll never forget his last-start win in the ($150,000) Qbred Triad Final. Graham had him spot on for that night and Shane Graham dove him a treat as the favourite. I’m only part-owner with seven others, but it’s been the highlight since I first got hooked on this sport 16 years ago,” Greaves said.
The Brisbane-born and Clontarf Beach State High School-educated plumber said there were none of his family had ever been involved in harness racing, and lay the blame directly at the Victorian-based Sanderson family.
“I met Shane and Naomi through his brother, Peter, and they put me onto a Shipps Fella gelding named Excel Oris, who ended up winning 18 races, but only about four for us. When he started winning I became really interested, and then it was a 2000 Perfect Art gelding named, Maplea Joe, that really got me hooked. He ended up winning 17 races including three in the city.
“Then I started buying more like the P B Bullville gelding, Rumsron, who won 16 races (2010-2015), and Lady Lager, who won four. There’s been a few over the year, probably more than 100 winners, but Quik Change is the best for them. As for this filly, time will tell with her, but I don’t think she will make a three-year-old star.
“She has a few more wins left in her, I know that, but who knows how many? I also bought another 2-year-old filly at the APB Sales on the Gold Coast, which was the same Sale that we paid $20,000 for Quik Change. Her name is, Hell Of A Hand, and she is by Rock N Roll Heaven. She’s had one win in a limited career.
“Then there’s Tegan Lee. I don’t have any children, but this Changeover filly is also named after my other niece. Chloe and Tegan are sisters.
“I paid $10,000 for her at last year’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale, and she has more than paid that back with her first Qbred wins (April 9 and June 7) which were both at Redcliffe. Tegan Lee has now had five starts for Graham and has won two of them. She’s also spelling,” Greaves said.
“Oh, and that reminds me I also bought a now Cammibest 2-year-old at the same Sale for $12,000. He ran fourth last start, and his name is Scores,” he added.
Greaves said he was now hooked on harness racing for life and was a proud Redcliffe Harness Racing Club Life Member.
“I love the racing, I enjoy the people who go there, and the club is always wanting to better itself and go ahead. I’ve been a plumber since I left school and if my skills can help out the club, then I’m more than happy to assist. There are a lot of sharks out there, and this way I know the club is doing thongs the right way.
“I don’t take shortcuts. I like to work hard and take it from there. Redcliffe is a hard-working Club and I enjoy working there. My trainer Graham (Dwyer) and his family are also very hard-working, so I’m delighted that they too can enjoy this latest victory,” Greaves said.
