By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
It’s January 26, 2007 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, and Tommy Haas is playing Fernando Gonzalez in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
The temperature is 27 degrees in Victoria and the sun is beaming down on centre-court, but right there in the midst of the world-wide TV coverage was one Redcliffe resident who was feeling the heat more than most.
Crouched just metres from the semi-finalists, and playing a huge impact in Gonzalez’s 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 match is last Monday night’s (October 16) Redcliffe Paceway race seven winning trainer/driver/owner – and former professional umpire, Aaron Smith.
“It was my second- or third-year officiating at an Australian Open and my first semi-final. And of course, it was the first year they introduced ‘Hawke-eye’ at a grand-slam tournament, so no pressure on my calls then! It was nerve-wrecking at first, but once I got into it, I got right into the zone,” Smith said.
The now 39-year-old also officiated Haas in his first professional tournament two years earlier at the Australian Open. It was a round 16 match between against the legendary Roger Federer, who won yet again on Rod Laver Arena, this time in five sets – 6-4, 6-0, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.
“I remember that game very clearly. There was a lot of tension, and the atmosphere was electric because Roger had breezed through the tournament until then, and Haas took him to five sets. I really enjoyed the pressure of high-class sport. I’ve always enjoyed sport and winning,” Smith said.
Smith experienced that winning feeling for the 19th time as a driver, and fifth as a trainer, shortly after 8.45pm on Monday.
The Brisbane based Sales Manager drove his only horse in work – Heston Blue Chip mare, Floorless, to an easy 10.9 metre victory in the Pelican waters Resort Up To NR40 Pace. It was the 5-year-old bay’s fifth win 80 starts for owners Smith, his wife, Michelle, and grandfather, Cliff Gassman. She’s also placed 12 times and netted $31,965 in stakes.
“I travel a bit with my job and I’m passionate about the horses. I honestly could not do the horses if it wasn’t for my family, especially my mum and Don Boldery who helps to work her when I am away for work.
“I also have three children under the age of 13 and for this reason she’s the only horse I’ve currently got in work right now, but I would love to get another one if time permitted,” Smith said from Sydney. “I got her off David Druitt (Brucedale, NSW) me in February 2022.”
Smith has now had Floorless for 44 of her 80 starts, and four of her five career wins have all come this season at Redcliffe Paceway.
“I love her to pieces. She is so easy to handle and drive, and she doesn’t really put a foot wrong. She used to have a tendency of shying at the starting gate and spent a lot of time out of the draw when I first got her, but I’ve got her right now.
“She has the best temperament, and nothing ever seems to really phase her. David, her previous trainer explained to me she got her name ‘Floorless’ because she was as close to perfect to break in as you could get.
“I also have a couple of neighbours who just love her. They walk down to our stables everyday just to have a pat and play with her. She is like a member of the family. She is spoilt,” Smith said.
“She should make a lovely broodmare one day,” he added.
Smith said he had grown up around horses and harness racing folk at Redcliffe Paceway since he was born in 1983. His grandfather Cliff Gassman is virtually a ‘Hall-of-Famer at Redcliffe Paceway, and his mother, Aileen, is a Group One winning trainer with more than 100 wins to her name. Their stories can be read at the Footnote below:
“I’ve always loved horses, and wanted to jump into them when I was in school, but Mum told me to either get a job or a trade to fall back on. I fell into a sales job when I was in school and found a real passion for it.
“But today my priorities are with my wife Michelle and my three boys Zac (12), Connor (11), and Daniel (8),” said Smith who holds a management position with the internationally known and respected Automotive Air Suspension Company ‘Airbag Man’.
Born and bred in Redcliffe, Aaron attended Redcliffe State High School, where he and his twin sister, Alyssa, were both school vice captains.
He then entered the retail industry whilst in school, originally starting out at Supercheap Auto, before working his way up to management positions for multiple well-respected companies – including Amart All Sports/Rebel Sports, RM Williams and BCF before ending up at Airbag Man in 2015.
“I got the horse bug when I was in my youth, but when I was in my early 20s and Mum was back training again I really decided to give it a crack. I have learnt the most from my mother and grandfather.
“One of my biggest influences was Lola Weidemann who was very helpful and giving of her time when I was starting out. “I learnt a lot from Lola and was grateful for the drives she gave me early on.
“I’m fairly lucky that my family and friends are so supportive of my equine pursuits. My sister keeps up with it all, along with Mum and Grandad who attend every meeting. Even some of my colleagues keep a watchful eye and ask regularly when Floorless is going around,” Smith said.
Sadly, Smith’s grandmother (Joyce) and father (Greg), who were two of his biggest supporters, are no longer with us.
“I miss them dearly. You just don’t realise how important they are to you until they are gone. They both would love to hear about how you went. Dad was sadly a bit oblivious to the races but was keen to know what it was like on the track and wanted a moment-by-moment to run down.
“Nan, on the other hand was very switched on and would tell you when you stuffed up on a sure thing, and congratulate you on a great drive – which didn’t seem all that often when you get one drive a week.”
Smith has now trained five winners since the 2007 season – four from Floorless this season, and one from her last year. Smith has also had 17 place-getters and has netted $25,237 in purses.
In the sulky, he has reined 19 winners since 2008. He’s also placed 53 times and banked $82,546 in stakes. His three driving wins in 2023 are just one behind his personal best achieved in 2017-2018.
“There’s nothing like driving a winner. I love that winning feeling and that’s why I got into sport at a young age. I played cricket, footy, and tennis, and anything that was going really. I actually played tennis against the likes of John Millman and Chris Guccioni who played on the Davis Cup Team along with Lleyton Hewitt.” Smith said.
After Smith stopped playing tournaments, he was approached to see if he would like to become a tennis official.
“I didn’t always want to be an umpire as I already had a full-time job, I was actually approached by a member at my local club who was also an official, and recommended that I give it a go as I knew the rules and could approach situations with the mind of a player – which made me relatable.
“I kind of thought he was nuts at the time as I had given so many officials a hard time over the years, I just didn’t know If I wanted to be on the receiving end of what I had dished out but thought what the hell.
“So, I did all the necessary courses and then in 2005 I got my first Australian Open call up as a linesman. It was actually a nice little side-hobby as it was mainly weekend work. My workplace saw the level I was umpiring at the time and were flexible with my hours if I had to travel which was nice,” Smith said.
“I also had the opportunity to officiate in Davis Cups, Federation Cups, and multiple top tier Satellite Tournaments when I was into it full-on, but these days family, work, and Floorless take up all my time,” added Smith who spoke to Redcliffe Paceway from New South Wales on just three hours sleep after his win the night before.
For the record – Smith’s silks are gold, red Maltese cross, red stars on gold sleeves.
“The inspiration of these silks are Mum and Grandads colours, as they combine the key features of both of their silks. I am a huge believer in tradition and would love to keep them going as long as possible, they are just important to me,” he said.
Footnote –
The Cliff Gassman (Smith’s grandfather) story –
https://duanerangerharnessracing.com/cliff-gassman-a-horseman-for-the-ages/
The Aileen Smith (Smith’s mother) story –
https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/news/july-2019/life-goes-on-for-group-1-winning-trainer
