by Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
The ‘charismatic’ 19-win pacer, Hit The Track, isn’t the best horse that Amy Cargill has conditioned, but the brown gelding is the first horse that she trained – and his personality and willingness to work – means the 21-year-old ever will never get rid of him.
“He’s going nowhere. He’s such a special horse to me. I had my first training success with him at Armidale back in 2021 (May 30). He won in 58 (1:58.2) that day, with my partner, Zac (Chappenden) in the gig. That was just my second ever start as a trainer, after he finished third at Redcliffe the start before.
“He’s a very charismatic horse. He has a lot of personality and is awesome to do everything with. He can be a bit smart when he wants to, but that doesn’t mean it. He has been going good times with no luck so it was great to be on-course and watch him to finally get the win,” Biddaddaba-based Cargill said.
The Ipswich-born and Deception Bay State High-educated horsewoman was referring to Hit The Track’s 4.5 metre victory as the $8 fifth favourite in race one at Redcliffe Paceway on Sunday night (June 2).
It was Cargill’s 12th victory with Hit The Track, since he transferred from her father Brett’s stable in May 2021. That win was for him.
“Dad and Zac have been the two biggest influences in my brief career so far. Dad had a stroke a few years back but still likes to talk on the phone about the horses and how they are going. I’m sure that win lifted his spirits.
“I was happy the horse won, but I was also relieved. It was Paige’s (Bevan) first win for me too which was awesome. He went really well and I’m super happy with him. Paige drove him to perfection,” said Cargill, who also owns the Sportswriter gelding.
Bevan led from gate two and controlled the race out in front with 31.6, 31.1, 28.6, and 29.2 sectionals. The overall time for the 1,780m mobile was 2:11.7 with a 1:59.1 mile-rate. Hit The Track has now won 19 of his 190 starts and placed in 47 others for $131,684. That was his first win in 19 starts this season and Cargill’s second.
Cargill also won with Office Bad Boy at Marburg on April 7. All up the Biddaddaba horsewoman has now trained 32 winners from 384 starters, placed 73 times, and has also netted $187,492 in stakes since starting out in 2021. Her most successful season was in 2022 when she conditioned 15 winners ($84,731).
“I live a life of pretty much just horses. I go to work at Figtree Thoroughbreds (Gold Coast) , where we do spellers, yearling prep, and broodmares. There are no racehorses there and I love the work.
“Then I come home and work our two standardbreds, and then then quite often go to the races with Zac or my own. Zac is helpful around the place. I mainly work them but every now and then he will jump on when I can’t,” Cargill, and only child to Brett and Julie, said.
Cargill started out three years ago In Deception Bay before she and Chappenden relocated to Victoria and worked for Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin in Ballarat.
“It was a good learning experience for us and we had a great time down south. We then moved to Biddaddaba last year, where Zac is now working for Darrel Graham. With only two in work it’s more of a passion, and I’m only really doing it for fun.”
Cargill then gave a shout it to The Lagoon (NSW) horseman Josh Turnbull.
“Josh was super generous letting me lease Hit The Track as my first ever horse. Dad and I tried to buy another horse he had for sale at the time, but he had already sold it by the time we talked to him. He offered us Hit the track instead, and it worked out in my favour. Hit the tracks gone on to win us 15 races for Dad and me.
“He’s not the best horse we have ever trained but he’s always been the favourite. I’ll never get rid of him,” she stressed.
Cargill said she didn’t drive race-day, but really enjoyed track-work.
“I have always considered taking up driving, but haven’t really ever done it. For now, I’ll leave it to my partner, Zac. He has been the biggest influence on my career. He helps me out so much. I really couldn’t do it without him.
“Also, my Dad (Brett) has been a great help through the process. He’s been training since he was born. Mum (Julie) isn’t really into it,” Cargill said.
Cargill said she moved around a lot when she was young for her father’s racing.
“We must have been to Victoria and back 200 times. I went to Deception Bay State High where I graduated in 2020.
“I got into ACU where I studied commerce for about two weeks, and then left. I worked at Amcal Pharmacy in Deception Bay for around a year, which was interesting. After that job I left to train horses out at Beaudesert. Zac and I got together in the beginning of January 2021 and started training together a few months later,” Cargill said.
She said she used to break retired Standardbreds into saddle.
“I used to compete on them, or sell them on as riding horses, but sadly I just don’t have the time for it anymore,” she said.
So, what does this talented teenager think of Redcliffe Paceway?
“Redcliffe is a good little track, but it’s become increasingly hard to win a race there, as the times just keep getting faster.”
Cargill’s silks are royal blue, black yoke and braces, royal blue stars and sleeves, with the black ‘V’ and cuffs.
FOOTNOTE: This from Melton Secondary College – Sport Enhancement: “It is always interesting to follow where our ex students end up. Amy was a member of our ADP specialist sport program, an Australian and Victorian champ squash player for her age and a SSV Blues award winner. The family moved to Qld and she has just finished Year 12 in 2020. She is also a highly regarded equestrian rider- looks like her hobby may now turn into a career.
