By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Queensland horseman, Kevin Annetts, boasts a 100 per cent-strike rate following last Thursday’s (January 4) Redcliffe meeting. The Hatton Vale trainer is also ‘batting his age’.
Annetts only starter so far this season, the hot $1.35 favourite – Lets Save The Day (Nathan Dawson) – proved too good in race five – the Power Up Lawn Mowers Mobile for the Up To 40 graded pacers.
It was also the 51-year-old printer’s 51st victory since taking out his licence in 1991-1992, and the 10-year-old’s first Queensland win after previously racing in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Victoria.
“I’ve been in the printing industry for the last 25 years and harness racing has always been a hobby to me. An interest from a very early age. I just like a day or night out at the races. If we get a cheque, well that’s a bonus.
“This horse is in his right grade now, and I think the reason his win price was so short was because Nathan was in the sulky. They don’t come much better than Nathan. I just want to thank him for another wonderful drive.
“He’s a family horse. It’s a family win – for Mum (Emily), Dad (Norm), me, my older siblings Shane and Mary, and nephew Trent Hodges,” Annetts said.
“Dad trained standardbreds, and Mum co-owns Lets Save The Day with me. I’ve got just him and two-win 5yo Lanercost mare, Shezamaterialgirl, currently in work. I only ever do two or three at a time,” he added.
Annetts saw Lets Save The Day, a son of Bettor’s Delight, advertised online in March 2022. He had his last start for Birdwoodton (Victoria) trainer, Lachlan Prothero, when finishing eighth at Swan Hill on March 10, 2022.
Just over a month later (April 24), Lets Save The Day made his debut for Annetts. He’s now had 44 starts for the Lockyer Valley trainer.
“It’s just so nice to see him win because he has struggled in the higher grades. I still can’t believe how warm a favourite he was. Nathan did extremely well to get him by almost two metres. He’s no champion, but he’s placed several times for us, and he deserved this.”
Lets Save The Day has now had 91 starts for nine wins, 12 placings and $54,047. He recorded his fastest mile time of 1:55.1 at Horsham in June 1991.
He and Noel Parish will start from one on the second line (6) in race two at Marburg on Sunday January 7). The 1,850m mobile is time for 2.16pm.
Annetts was born in Brisbane and educated at Acacia Ridge State School. He worked in several jobs before setting on the printing industry a couple of years before the turn of the century.
He has had 51 winners from 1,783 starters since his late teens in 1991. He has also had 232 place-getters and banked $217,337 in purses. His best season came in 2008-2009 when he conditioned nine winners and 23 place-getters.
“I used to drive a little bit when I was younger, and I remember Rain Lover was my first win at Rocklea. As for my first training win – I have no idea,” Annetts said.
“Horses have only ever been about entertainment for me. They bring the family together. Thursday’s win was a bonus,” Annetts stressed.
For the record… Hatton Vale is 72 kilometres west of Brisbane and 36 kilometres west of the regional centre of Ipswich. It has a population of 1,521.
