SIXTY SECONDS WITH WINNO - MATTHEW McCUDDEN

By Darren Winningham with Matthew McCudden | Friday, July 20, 2018

SIXTY SECONDS WITH WINNO

MATTHEW McCUDDEN – Trainer, based at Port Macquarie.

I have met Matt previously at Grafton and other tracks around the Northern Rivers where he always seemed to be a very intelligent and courteous young man. I had heard that he had started training at Port Macquarie having decided, at the young age of 22, to take out a trainer’s licence and commence the task of training horses for owners which, you would think, would be a daunting commission for anyone so young.

You know, as I always do, I sniff out a story and go in search of the truth about something that may interest people. This time I sat down at the Grafton Carnival with Matt, where he had some runners, and asked him about racing life – his life in general and how the leap of faith into the world of horse training has treated him so far.

What I learnt about this young man is that he has aspirations, motivation and also a deep centred respect for his family and friends. With that solid support base I think we need to keep a close eye on this young fellow on the Mid North Coast of NSW. He could turn out to be a pretty good trainer!

This is Matt McCudden’s Sixty Seconds with Winno.

How did Matt McCudden get into training?

I always wanted to become a horse trainer at some stage. I was stable foreman and working for trainer John Sprague at Port Macquarie and unfortunately, he got a positive swab and a suspension. The owners of the horses in the stable didn’t know what to do. One of the owners asked me would I be willing to get a training licence and train their horses. I told them if I could get a few horses and start training and make a living out of it – I would give it a full go.

You applied for the licence?

Yes, I applied and then most of the owners jumped on board to support me. In the end I ended up with most of the Sprague horses – he had around 12 to 15 horses at the time.

So, obviously you were riding work for him. You look like your 65 kilograms wringing wet mate?

No way WINNO. I could not sit on a fence. Priscilla and Cassie Schmidt have got all the riding ability in the family.

How are they related to you?

They are my cousins!

I cannot believe you cannot ride a horse – you are having a lend of me!

No WINNO when I was younger I always had ponies. No matter how much I tried I was hopeless. I could not sit on a pony or a horse to save my life! Everyone thinks I can ride horses and work but I cannot! When John Sprague and Cejay Graham (stable apprentice) got injured people were saying you are going to have to ride work now! I told them all I am no hope! I would be lucky to sit on the pony that went around with them at the track!

Do you have a nickname?

Bean – (I didn’t ask why people)!

So, how long have you been training?

I got my licence mid-March 2018.

Your first runner?

My first runner was Saint Denis at Coffs Harbour on a heavy track on 25 March 2018. It shot 5 lengths clear at the top of the straight and a $101 pop got up and beat me on the line. Laura Cheshire rode the winner!

You seem to be going good?

Well I think that it has been a steep learning curve. I have managed six winners now from just 34 starters!

How many horses do you have in work?

We have 8 horses in work presently and I have 5 in the paddock.

Best thing you like about your work?

Honestly, I reckon it’s in a morning when I arrive at the stables. I get there around 4.00am. I am always the first one there – and every horse comes charging out and they put their heads over the gate and I walk along and give every horse a pat and a cuddle when I walk in.

What is your best memory (in your short career) of being a horse trainer?

I trained my first winner at Taree on 1 May 2018 – it was ironically Saint Denis and was ridden by Ben Looker. On that morning my pop passed away around 10.00am in the morning just before I went to the races. Then a couple of hours later I got my first winner.

My pop always followed me. Even when I was strapping and going to the races he used to follow me and maybe have a bet. Then when I got my licence he thought it was wonderful – he used to back all my runners. Before he passed away his last bet was $60 on Saint Denis the night before it raced – he died the next morning and it got up and won.

Ben Looker is your go to man as a jockey?

Up until Patriot won at Grafton on Cup today, Ben Looker was the only jockey who had ridden a winner for me. In fact, he ha ridden all four of my winners! Then Robert Thompson won on Patriot and then Cejay Graham won on Saturday at Port Macquarie on Dew Drop!

What do you do when you cannot sleep?

What rating is this WINNO? No, I have no dramas sleeping. Someone could fire a gun in the room and I would not wake up!

Jockeys start early in the morning what time do you get up to start work?

I start around 4.00 to 4.30am most days. I am usually first there and open everything up and have the saddle on the first couple before the track opens at 5.00am.

How do you prefer to be woken up in the morning?

Normally it is my missus rolling over and telling me to get up because my alarm is going off and I am sleeping through it! If I don’t get up she beats me over the back of the head and tells me to get up!

A memorable horse or performance for the stable?

Well it wasn’t my stable horse. But I must tell you about a horse I went to the Country Championships with in Sydney. The whole experience was amazing. There was a cocktail night on the Friday and then the races on Saturday at Royal Randwick. I was the strapper. That was different and memorable in its own way.

But my first winner we spoke about – Saint Denis and the circumstances in which it won - is a day that will always be on my mind.

What’s your favourite horse you have?

Shelley Beach Road – but all the horses are special to me. Everyone knows this horse as “my wife” because ever since I laid eyes on it as a yearling she has been my favourite horse. No one is allowed near her except me. She is now with me – she was the horse in the Country Championships – she could not run the 1400 metres.

What was the turning point in your career?

Probably my first winner – I got the monkey off my back and then I got three more winners in pretty quick succession: Trent (18.5), Penny Fling (28.5) and Jemily (1.6).

What are you always late for?

Nothing now – I cannot afford to be late now.

If you were not a horse trainer what would you be doing?

Not sure – all I have ever known is racing!

What is your favourite music?

Young Doof Doof music.

What is your favourite musician?

Post Malone

What is the most embarrassing song on your phone?

I Touch Myself by the Divinyls.

What is your favourite gadget?

iPhone

What would you choose as your last meal?

Chicken Snitzel and chips at the pub with Dianne sauce. With some steamed veges (like cauliflower and broccoli) as well and a Canadian Club beer.

Name one person who you want to have dinner with?

Someone like Lloyd Williams or the Coolmore Manager Tom Magnier or any of those racing blokes – even the Godolphin sheik His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Why though?

I reckon you could learn a thing or two from them!

Name something you could not live without?

My missus Phoebe Ware.

Can she cook mate?

She goes alright actually.

What’s her favourite dish she cooks for you?

She cooks a mad Shepherd’s Pie and a great Spag Bol!

How would you rate her cooking?

Is it out of 10? Well I had better give her a 10 for sure!

What is your greatest fear?

I hate heights and spider webs. If I walk into a spider’s web it freaks me out!

One of your favourite places to be?

The stables or just down the pub having a beer!

Name a place you have travelled to and liked?

Bundaberg was cool – or just coastal QLD.

NRL/AFL favourite team?

NRL – Parramatta EELS. AFL – who cares

State of Origin time – NSW or QLD?

Queenslander!

Why Queensland – you were born in NSW you’re a filthy traitor! I am off … you know this interview is about to end!

Hold on. Let me explain why (this will want to be good punters). My brother was a Newcastle supporter and when we were younger Parramatta played Newcastle in a Grand Final. Newcastle won – I got that dirty on Newcastle so could not stand Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus and Chief Harrigan who all were NSW legends and played for NSW. After that I completely boycotted NSW and could never support them.

Then Jonathon Thurston came through for QLD and I have always thought he is the greatest player ever! Even now when I try to support NSW – I just cannot!

Moving on. Who do you talk most to on the phone?

Owners of my horses

What are you grateful for everyday?

My life – everything – being able to come to the stables each day and wander around with the horses.

What item symbolises Australia for you?

Uluru – or even maybe a local pub. What Aussie doesn’t love their local!

What do you like to put on a sandwich?

I tell me missus to make me “Crocodile Bread” – make it snappy! I am big on devon and tomato sauce on white bread.

What toppings do you like on your pizza?

I love pizzas. But I make my own! (Here we go again people …. ). You buy the pizza base, buy the pizza base sauce and put cheese on the base. Then shredded chicken, some salami, capsicum, red onion and then some more cheese. But WINNO I will share with everyone my secret ingredient. It is BIG MAC sauce.

BIG MAC sauce! Can you even buy it?

You get it from Coles. it is called “Special Burger Sauce” and it costs around $2.50 a bottle and you throw that on top!

How do you define success?

Being happy and being around good people.

Who is you man crush?

My brother Daniel “Chunky Love” McCudden - AKA - D Mac McCudden!

Who is your female crush?

Margot Robbie.

Tell us something that may surprise us about you?

I am a massive racing nerd.

Who is the biggest pest around the racing track?

Joel Chevally. He works for me and he rides work for me.

Who do you rate as a jockey?

Andrew Adkins. He has been my best mate since we were kids. When he started riding everyone said he would not make it and I always defended him and said he would! Look at him now – he was the leading apprentice rider in Sydney and he has won Group 1 races.

(He used to hate me taking picture of him at Grafton – I thought he was shy!)

No WINNO, he loves it! Ever since he has moved to Sydney he has come out of his shell and grown up. He still rings me two or three times a week. He is a great bloke … a wonderful bloke.

If you are down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?

Anything my brother says cannot win – you go and back it – they always win!

Now we are talking about Daniel – is it true that “Chunky Love” has a contract with Jenny Craig?

Mate – this is an exclusive for you. He has had multiple agencies chasing him for a plus size model in recent weeks. He is going to attempt to go from 140 kilograms to 80 kilograms in 6 months.

Last question mate – everyone has Facebook pages now for racing stables when are you going to crack one?

WINNO the truth is I do not want to get too big too quick. I want to try and find my feet first. I just want to take it steady and not get in over my head. I want to focus on the horses and owners I have and work with what I have got.

I am happy where we are at presently and we will eventually build on it … but I will not knock back anyone that wants me to train a horse.

Thanks for spending 60 seconds with Winno!

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