By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Kooralbyn standardbred owner, radiographer and biomedical scientist – Alan Self – has had about 50 winners since he immersed himself back into his passion just over four years ago.
But the wins haven’t come about by sheer luck. After leaving Sydney’s Kogarah High School in the mid-1960s with no qualifications, Self realised almost 30 years after ditching his school-books, that study was the essence of both learning, and keeping his son, Matthew, alive.
The now 76-year-old, who retired four years ago, studies the Australasian harness racing industries closely. In fact, he has owned nine standardbreds since 2019 – more than half of them from New Zealand..
His latest winner, and the best he’s so far owned – the John McMullan trained, Shes In Line, notched up her sixth win in 38 starts in race seven at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday (August 1).
The Peter McMullen-driven Shes In Line is a 4-year Betting Line, who mare was trained by Tony Herlihy (MNZM) in South Auckland for five starts (two seconds) before Self bought her off Herlihy’s wife, Suzanne in July last year.
“I like to look at New Zealand races regularly and search for horses who have been unlucky or drawn wide in their last two or three races. Now that I’ve retired I’ve got more time to study them,” Self said.
Study changed Self’s whole direction in life aged 40, when he decided to complete his Year 11 and 12 studies by correspondence. He passed both in one year then aged 45 in 1993 he enrolled himself at Griffith University and got a degree in Bio Medical Science. If that wasn’t enough, he also attained a second degree in Medical Imaging (Radiography).
Up until four years ago when he retired, Self was the ‘popular’ Beaudesert radiographer for 16 years, known throughout the community for his expertise, and being extrovert and kind with his patients.
“I got my first degree because I wanted to help save my son’s life. He was diagnosed early on in his life with a terminal brain disorder and I was told he wouldn’t live much past 11 or 12. Matthew now in his mid-40s.
“He used to suffer epileptic seizures almost every half hour and then he was diagnosed with Alpers Disease. I worked hard and did everything I could to keep him alive. I looked at everything from enzyme deficiency in his brain and heart. I did an enormous amount of ground work and I’m pleased to say Matthew is happy and being cared for around the clock in his own home,” Self said.
“I’m proud of all six of my children. I also have a son who is a doctor. My second wife died of skin cancer aged 44. Did you know that just because you don’t have a spot or blemish that doesn’t mean you can’t get skin cancer. Most of them fade,” Self said.
In fact, an ABC ‘Australian Story’ documentary was aired several years ago about Self and his will to keep Matthew alive.
That’s mind-blowing success, considering Self, the only son in a family of three sisters, was raised in a Sydney orphanage where he never got one visitor.
“I didn’t do well at school and hung around Sydney until I was 21 and then came to the ‘Land-of-Opportunity’ (Queensland). I mostly raised all my children and on my own, and then went back to school in my 40s.
“I’d always had a passion for harness racing and I had always been an admirer of the McMullen family. I’ve had horses with a few trainers now, and I really enjoy John’s straight shooting. John’s not only a very good horsemen who has raised four lovely kids, and four very astute drivers with his wife Jennette, but he is also a very good communicator.
“He keeps owners in the picture and answers all questions without an attitude. He’s honest as the day is long and talks in depth with you. Some trainers just don’t care, but to me John is the complete horseman. He does an equally good job away from the track,” Self said.
In saying that he didn’t think Shes In Line could win last Thursday from the tough five draw over the 2,040m mobile… that was until McMullen put his only son in the sulky.
“Peter could win on a wooden rocking horse, that’s how good how he is! He’s a very unassuming person until you get to know him, but I see why he’s so good. He’s learnt from the best and then added his own natural talent to the sulky. When he was named driver that’s when I believed she could win from the tough marble,” said Self.
He said Shes In Line was a small horse, whose lack in size was made up for with her guts and ability to sprint late in her races.
“She might be dwarfed by the other pacers but she never gives up, and just keeps on going. She rounds off her races well. I knew when she got to the front she would take some stopping. I thought the others might find it difficult to get past her,” Self said.
McMullen had Shes In Line in front at the winning post the first time and from that point he dictated the pace to suit. In fact, it was a McMullen stable quinella. The Taleah driven stablemate, B Mac C, got within a neck of the $3 favourite, but the remainder of the field was more than three-plus metres away.
Shes In Line stopped the clock in 2:30.5 with a 1:58.7 mile-rate. Her sectionals were 31.7, 21, 28.3, and 28.3.
“It was great to be a part of the McMullen family quinella. I’ve got two other horses with John. It will be interesting to see how she steps up against the Saturday night company at Albion Park next start. I think he will win more races with her and my other two I’ve got with him as well,” Self said.
They are another former Kiwi pacer, 4-year-old Vincent mare, Shes Classy and a now 3-year-old Raging Bull filly named Celestine, He’s also owned former Kiwi pacer Cheers Kathy (14 wins & $88,007); and locals Sports Story (8 wins & $51,011); Greg The Great (19 wins & $133,959); and Mr Hart (28 wins and $158,604). In 2022 he also bought an Ultimate Machete colt which was a $12,000 Gold Coast Sales Yearling purchase.
“I also owned a pretty good Kiwi trotter named Kapia, but sold him down south because Racing Queensland doesn’t support trotting races. If they don’t make the cut I sell them on cheaply or give them away. To me if they aren’t making $1,000 a start they are not viable.
“I gave Mr Hart away at a young age and I’m always assessing their futures. Shes In Line is the most talented horse I have owned so far. She has won $40,804 in 38 starts,” said Self who is also breeding from a couple of mares.
Success runs in the Self-Glover household on their Kooralbyn farm. Self’s partner of 15 years, Pauline Glover, was recently named Beaudesert Nurse-of-the-Year, after 46 years service.
Footnote: Kooralbyn is 22km south-west of Beaudesert, which is 64 kilometres south of Brisbane, 56 kilometres west of the Gold Coast. It boasts a population of 1,697.
