Paul Weidenbach is enjoying life back in familiar territory.
And he was a proud man at Cobram last Monday when his reinsman son, Kevin Jr., drove his third stable double for the season and 22nd winner for the season.
Kev Jr. reined consistent mare Felicity Funkhousa and Takeachanceonharry to wins in consecutive races on the monster 10-race card.
Felicity Funkhousa took the fast class C4-C5 event honours in an all-the-way win while Takeachanceonharry was too good for his rivals in a 1670m dash, overcoming a second row draw and posting a meeting-best 1.55.5 mile rate.
Both pacers are trained by Kevin Jr’s mother and Paul’s wife Rosie.
Life is panning out pretty well for the Weidenbach family since their move to Wahring from Kilmore three months ago after purchasing the training establishment of Chris and Sharon Lang.
The property had been up for sale since the Langs severed their ties with the industry two years ago.
Paul and Rosie and children Kevin Jr, Billy, Daniel, and Olivia now run the property and have been enjoying their share of success in the short time they have been there.
‘‘I’d been at Kilmore for 24 years and it’s getting a bit like Melbourne these days so we decided to head north where it’s a bit quieter,’’ Paul reflected.
And ‘north’ is where Paul cut his teeth in the trots game.
His father Kevin and mother Marlene ran Festival Lodge at Harston for several years, but Paul was the only one of their children who followed them into the harness racing game.
Kevin Sr has even had the Paul and Rosie’s oldest son named after him.
Pre-training and breaking have been Paul’s bread and butter in the industry and the family still finds time to work – with the help of Rosie and children and Olivia Burgess – 20 to 30 horses at most times.
‘‘We have had about 30 winners since Christmas so we are happy with that but pre training and breaking is our biggest go.
‘‘We are currently doing a lot of this (pre training and breaking) for Ross Sugars.
‘‘Lance and John Justice have also been great supporters of ours over the years with their young horses.
‘‘Some years we broke in to 90-120 horses and we average about 60 these days,’’ added Paul.
The Weidenbachs also offer broodmare agistment at their 223 acres property which now boasts three training tracks.
‘‘We have added a 1000m straight track to the other two tracks which were on the property when Chris and Sharon had it and we have also put in 100 metres length swimming pool.
You get the feeling the Weidenbachs won’t be going anywhere anytime now that they have made the former Langs property their new home.
‘‘It was all set up very well by the Langs and apart from making a few additions to suit us it’s got everything we need and want,’’ added Paul.
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