By Duane Ranger
It took just three years and 11 months for Prenzlau horsewoman, Tayla Gillespie to go from one to 50 career training wins.
Expect that tally to sky rocket even more now that Gillespie continues to secure strong support from highly respected New Zealand and New South Wales owners.
Gillespie notched up her 59th career win at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday when the Sloy’s Company owned and bred, Hot Rod Heaven, easily won race nine by 8.6 metres.
“Hot Rod Heaven has been so good to us since we got him in 2017. He was a bit of a troublesome horse at first. He would gallop up to the mobile. He was a bit full of himself and a bit silly, but he had won about $7,000 when he came to us. Now he’s won $80,000.
“He’s just a lovely horse now, considering when we got him, he came with a million instructions. I can’t believe I have trained him to record a 1:52.6 mile rate. That made me believe in him and my own abilities. For some reason the horse likes us,” Gillespie said.
The 25-year-old, who works a team of 12 near Marburg, said she was delighted to have some big owners send their horses to her barn.
She said the Sloy’s was a large Cobbity-based company that had sent five horses to her stable.
“They keep sending me horses which is great because they must think I am doing a great job. In fact, since I first got my trainer’s license in 2015 (December) 60 per cent of my winners would have company from the Sloy’s company.
“Tony Xerri (Sloys) used to send his horses to Ian Mabbott, and for years Ian has been sending horses to Dad (Shaun). We got this fella in March 2017 and it’s all snowballed from there. We must have been doing something right for them to stick with us,” Gillespie said.
However, Gillespie’s training talents have also been recognised as far away as Christchurch in New Zealand.
One of that country’s prominent owners, Kypros Kotzikas, who won the 1997 New Zealand Cup with Iraklis, has also sent two well-bred standardbreds to Gillespie.
“I’ve got Ascalabus and Noble Lavros, who will be trialing soon. Ascalabus is a Bettor’s Delight 5-year-old pacer, who won on New Zealand Cup Day last year, and Noble Lavros is a Majestic Son 6-year-old trotter, who has won one of his eight starts. They came here in early September.
“They are lovely horses. Dad used to train GI Lavros, who came from Lavros Lodge to him in 2011 and they have remained in contact since. It’s very exciting to have such strong owners. I’m sure the two Kiwis will go well here.
“It’s all very exciting. We all want horses that will take you somewhere and from what I’ve seen of these two, I think they will go very well here,” Gillespie said.
“But for now, Hot Rod Heaven is still the stable star followed by No Confession. He’s won 10 or so races for us and more than $50,000. They are the top two… at this stage,” she added.
Hot Rod Heaven, who opened up at $12 and then $3.80 at race-start, drew six. Driver, Nathan Dawson, situated the Rock N Roll Heaven gelding three-back on the outside and then in the one-one at the bell.
The 7-year-old then swept on the pace-makers at the top of the home straight before running away to win easily. He paced the 2,040m mobile in 2:32.1. His mile rate was 2:00.0 and his sectionals were 28.5, 29.7, 29.7, and 30.4. It was Hot Rod Heaven’s 13th win in 134 starts. He’s also placed 24 times and banked $77,593 since making his race day debut seventh at Menangle on June 22, 2015.
That’s a great training effort considering Gillespie spends a lot of her time during the day and evenings working with the elderly in aged care.
“That’s a huge job in itself and it can be sad sometimes when you get attached to someone and they pass on. Covid has made the job even more intensive,” Gillespie said.
Born in Brisbane and educated at Lowood High School, Gillespie said she had been around from aged three months on.
“I finished my Year 12 studies and worked for Dad and also did part-time in a café when I left school. Then I got my job with ‘Blue Care’ and have carried on training horses throughout both jobs.”
Gillespie trained her 50th winner at Redcliffe Paceway on December 5, when the Reece Maguire-driven, Purple Shades, got up by a neck.
It was the Shadow Play bay gelding’s fourth win in 76 starts. Gillespie owned the Reg Walsh-bred 7-year-old.
If you think Gillespie got to the 50 quick, imagine how many career wins she would have now, had she been able to commit full-time to standardbreds.
“I only work my own team of 12 with Dad, but from 8am to 4pm each-day I also work for Blue Care. It’s a satisfying feeling to win races, considering I’ve had to endure 3.45am starts, and then at the other end, 8pm finishes, to make it all work,” Gillespie said.
“The other job is important, because I need that income when my horses aren’t doing so well. I’m not complaining though. This is a lifestyle choice. I will always train horses – I love them too much not to,” she added.
She said her father was her inspiration.
“I’ve learnt a lot from Dad over the years, and I’m just grateful to him for all the owners he brings to my stable. I’ve always been his strapper. Now I want to do my best for Dad, and all the owners and the breeders.”
Gillespie had seven starts before she nailed her first training success.
“That was when Brittany Graham drove French Lesson to win for me at Redcliffe. I even remember the date – January 20, 2016.”
Gillespie said when she was in her teens she got to see 2010 open class trotter, Kasyanov, run in the 2010 Interdominion Trotting Grand Final.
“Dad trained him to run second (behind Sundon’s Gift) in that Grand Final at Moonee Valley. That was pretty emotional for us. I was so proud of Dad doing that.
“I was only 15 and will never forget it. Kasyanov was a great old horse. We love him so much. He is 16 now, and still with us in our paddock,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie has trained 11 winners this season and recorded 42 placings for just over $87,000 in purses.
