by Duane Ranger
Chris Garlick couldn’t have wished for a better way to end his training career with Steve Telfer.
After six years as a training duo, the 37-year-old Ardmore horseman, and his long-time mate bowed out winners when Dance Time won their last race together, at Alexandra Park on Friday.
Garlick, a former school teacher, will work on a property at Clevedon, being developed by Ross Johnson. His work will largely comprise the agistment and rehabilitation of horses.
“It was a nice way to end the partnership with Steve, especially to leave on a high.
Steve and I were more than just training partners. We have been good friends for about 20 years now and we have a lot of similar interests outside work – especially sport.
“We only had three horses in on Friday, and we finished up with two wins and a placing.
That was Dance Time’s second win in a row, and that one on Friday will always be very memorable,” Garlick said. “I’m bowing out very happy,” he added.
Two-year-old American Ideal – Pepper Potts colt, Parker nailed his first win at his second attempt, thanks to a very good David Butcher drive in the opening event, and then five races later Butcher again got the chocolates with another 2-year-old – the Rock N Roll Heaven – Time To Fly gelding, Dance Time.
Happy Magic and Butcher also finished third in the second event. Telfer and Garlick ended with 2016-2017 season with 39 wins. That was two shy of their personal best they recorded last season, but their $486,731 in earnings this season was $79,797 better than last year.
All-up the duo trained 190 winners and placed 281 times since 2011. They amassed $1.88m in stakes and ended their partnership with a healthy 0.2873 UDR strike-rate.
“We had some great times together. Steve is a very astute horseman. I loved being with the horses but outside of that I’m not really a racing man. I seldom watch them on TV, and don’t get caught up in things like the Melbourne Cup etcetera.
“I just love horses and this new job will allow me to maybe work one or two of my own,” Garlick said.
Garlick wants to give as much time as he can to his family, which includes one-year-old daughter, Quinn. He also said he would continue training his three-year-old Christian Cullen – In The Living Years gelding – The Urban Spaceman.
“I’ll still potter around. I actually own The Urban Spaceman with my old school principal, Kelvin Squire. I get a kick out of that, being a former school teacher myself,” Garlick said.
“I have enjoyed my time at Stonewall Stud. I will have some great memories. I just want to thank everyone who supported me,” he added.
Garlick and Telfer worked together for several years at Barry Purdon’s Clevedon stable.
Telfer began training on his own in 2009 and Garlick, a year later. They formed a partnership in 2011.
Fifteen of Telfer and Garlick’s 39 wins this season were at Alexandra Park. That was eight wins short of making the top five.
Pace-maker and Hall-of-Famer, Barry Purdon, didn’t add to his tally on Friday, but had enough wins in the bank to nail the training premiership.
The top five trainers at Alexandra Park in 2016-2017 were: Barry Purdon 29 wins, John & Josh Dickie 26, Ray Green 23, Tony Herlihy (MNZM) 23, and Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen 23.
Meanwhile the father and son driving battle was won by Dad on Friday. David Butcher won three races – Parker (race one); Royal Willie (race five), and Dance Time (race six); while Zac had one triumph – Northview Hustler – (race eight).
Butcher snr ended up with 41 wins at northern headquarters this season, compared to his son’s 37. Butcher also cemented himself as the North Island’s number one driver with 80 wins for the season – 23 more than the second best North Islander – his son Zac.
It was Butcher’s best season since 2012-2013. He finished fourth on the national driving premiership behind South Island heavyweights Dexter Dunn, Blair Orange and Ricky May.
The top five drivers at Alexandra Park in 2016-2017 were: David Butcher 41 wins, Zac Butcher 37, Maurice McKendry (MNZM) 32, Tony Herlihy (MNZM) 25, Brent Mangos 24.
No Juniors won at Friday’s meeting so the junior driving title was wrapped up by last year’s winner, Jack MacKinnon.
Final standings in that premiership were: Jack MacKinnon 9 wins, Sean Grayling 8, Robert Argue 6, Dylan Ferguson 5, Tony Cameron 4.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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