SIXTY SECONDS WITH WINNO - TONY NEWING
By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, August 7, 2018
SIXTY SECONDS WITH WINNO
TONY NEWING - Trainer based at Gosford.
Well WINNO used to live on the Central Coast and loved the Gosford race track.
I went to many Gosford Cups over many years. In addition, I have a great respect for trainer and jockeys based on the Central Coast.
It was in great anticipation that I sought out Tony Newing - a trainer based at Gosford with a few nice horses – after his success at the Grafton Carnival where he trained three winners.
At some point his son Angus, who was supporting his father throughout the arduous process of facing up to WINNO, jumped in to help his dad who looked like he was floundering at the 100 metres!
Newing sent out his four-year-old sprinter King Lear to win the John Carlton cup at Grafton on Day 1 and the horse then returned to his new, favourite track to win the $40,000 Village Green Hotel Association Plate Class 6 Showcase (1200m) on Cup day (a week later), sidestepping the Ramornie.
King Lear made it another one act racing affair when the gelding destroyed his opponents to win his second race in a week at Grafton in a dominant performance.
I had to start the interview with the question that was burning on my tongue (and my pocket as well)!
I declared King Lear in the 2018 Ramornie after it won the John Carlton Cup – what happened Mr Newing? I took $51 all-in. It didn’t go to the Ramornie. What happened?
Did you get that price? Next time WINNO – just be patient! I decided against it. We'll look to go there next year.
I assume that King Lear is the best one in your stable now?
Well I thought I had one better – Man of Envy – he will be back next preparation and he could improve. But this bloke (King Lear) I think he has a fair bit of ability and could be special.
You had a successful Grafton Carnival?
We had three winners – like the Matthew Dunn stable who won the trainer of the carnival award, but they had more placings. We were happy with the way our horses performed at Grafton and will be back in 2019!
(WINNO – claims to have done his research – here goes another pass or fail).
I have heard that Jake Hull used to be your apprentice Tony?
No mate – your research is wrong. Jake helps me a fair bit but he was apprenticed to another wonderful trainer Grant Allard.
Jake Hull – he is a good Gosford boy?
Well he is a great bloke WINNO – but he packed up and left for Queensland. He thought the grass was greener up there but he is back now at Gosford! He has seen the light and returned to the great State of NSW!
I have to ask about a trainer of a horse that I used to love – Neil Ward – who used to train Riverdale … and about the Riverdale Bar
(Riverdale was a horse that raced in many Group Races over his career. I remember him winning the Ampol Stakes at Flemington in 1984 with his trusted jockey aboard Noel Barker. This race was in over the Flemington Cup Carnival. He went on to run super races and be placed in Group 1 events and he won the 1984 Epsom at Randwick. In fact, I think that a bar in the bottom floor in the public grandstand was named after the local champion and called the “Riverdale Bar.")
That is true. The bar is still there and it is still named the Riverdale bar. Neil Ward is still training horses and going well.
So how long have you been training for?
Since 2006.
What has been you best race horse to date?
Timeless Prince – he won the Sunshine Coast Cup up your way in 2016.
He eats mud right – he loves wet tracks?
He loves the wet WINNO – he has webbed feet.
Did he win at Grafton?
I think so. He ran in a Ramornie in 2015 and ran midfield behind Rock Royalty trained by Liam Birchley.
Who is your favourite jockey?
I have a lot of respect for Matty McGuren now – after all he has rode all 3 winners at Grafton for me! Over a long period of time Damian Oliver based in Victoria has been a very good rider.
What about apprentices?
Joshua Jones when he started riding. I thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. But as with most of them the weight got him. I thought he could have been a superstar.
How did you get into training?
Well I started out as a track work rider with Kylie Gavenlock. Then I went to pre-training complex where I used to ride 20 horses each morning, but I really had no one specific person to guide me or teach me about being a horse trainer.
What’s the best thing about being a horse trainer?
I love everything about horse training. It is a lifestyle choice – there are a lot of hard times in it but there are also the special and memorable moments.
Do you have a nickname?
No. (He claims he doesn’t have one people – dob him in people!).
What’s your worst habit then?
Playing with tooth picks.
Should I ask where you put them?
I cannot recall.
What do you do when you cannot sleep?
Keep trying!
What time do you get up to start work?
I do not believe in the early starts – I never have! I am a 6.00am starter.
How do you prefer to be woken up in the morning?
Is this “G” rated? Okay with the sun would be nice! A bit of sun always helps!
A memorable horse or performance for the stable?
Winning the Scone Country Cup! Timeless Prince won it and Brodie Loy rode him for me.
Was there a turning point in your career?
Yes definitely. I had SJ Racing that came on board with my stable. Finally, I have been able to get horses that I have wanted to get. The quality of horse that I can get access to has improved and we are just starting to see those results. Horses like King Lear are part of this success story. We have a little bit more of a budget now.
What are you always late for?
I try not to be late for anything if I can avoid it.
If you were not a horse trainer what would you be doing?
I am a jack of all trades actually – I will give anything a go! But I reckon I would be tremendous blood stock agent.
What is your favourite music?
Anything that is worth listening to – but not heavy metal that is for sure!
What is your favourite musician / group?
Queen.
(That is kind of embarrassing mate – says WINNO).
What is the most embarrassing song on your phone?
Paradise by Cold Play.
(At this point Tony was starting to struggle with the hard-hitting questions from WINNO. His son Angus Newing was with him and helped us out!)
So, Angus – what is dad’s worst habit?
Not listening much.
What is your favourite gadget?
(Angus answers this for him as well) A pair of tweezers or a shaver.
Angus – your dad has a beard. Do you like it?
I reckon he should have a beard. It suits him WINNO!
(And now Tony is back).
What does Stacey, your wife, think about the beard?
Well she took a long time to warm to it – but she is okay now.
What would you choose as your last meal?
Good feed of lasagne with chips and salad.
How does Stacey go in the kitchen?
She goes alright in the kitchen. She is the worker of the family – she loves to cook when she gets the time.
What is her favourite dish?
She makes an awesome Lasagne.
(It must be good as Angus agrees also!)
Name one person who you want to have dinner with?
(Angus chimes in with, “Donald Trump” – is his hair real? Tony, however, stays on track).
Peter V’ landys the CEO of Racing NSW.
Why?
There is plenty I would like to say to him. Hold on! Nothing bad WINNO – I would love to pick his brain and see what he would say on some matters. He is an astute administrator.
Name one thing you could not live without?
Punting – must be able to punt!
What is your greatest fear?
Seeing a dead person.
Have you ever seen one?
NO! and I never want to!
One of your favourite places to be?
Down by any river – love quiet spots.
Name a place you have travelled to and liked?
Cairns.
NRL/AFL favourite team?
NRL – Manly – we have been robbed by the referees in the NRL that many times this year! AFL – do they claim that is a sport these days?
State of Origin time – NSW or QLD?
NSW! I do not know how it all works – but I played my first game of Rugby in NSW.
(Hold on – I am sensing you have an association with that dirty State Queensland?)
Well – the truth is I was born in Roma! Look WINNO – I think the truth is that mum was driving through at the time and spat me out there and then kept on driving!
(Well – I am filthy that you were born in Roma, says WINNO – but I am glad you are a NSW BLUE!)
Who do you talk most to on the phone?
Ben Hull at the Gold Coast – he is a close friend of mine. We actually speak a lot on the phone.
What are you grateful for everyday?
My wife - Stacey
What item symbolises Australia for you?
A winning post!
What do you like to put on a sandwich?
I am basic - ham, cheese and tomato on white bread, butter and only one side on the bottom so it sticks it all together. Plus, you must have salt and pepper on it!
What toppings do you like on your pizza?
I love my pizzas. Joe’s Pizza’s at Gosford - he makes a wicked pizza! He is the main street at Gosford on Mann street – the father owned the shop before him and they make fantastic pizzas! Supreme with chicken on it – with just the normal pizza sauce. Traditional Italian thin base as well.
(I think he was there when I used to live there and work at the Hospital).
How do you define success?
Hard work – you just keep turning up.
Who is you man crush?
Pass on that one!
Who is your female crush?
They all look good to me – I just love having a good perve!
Tell us something that may surprise us about you?
I am straight shooter – I think everyone knows everything about me!
Do you drive a car?
Toyota Hilux – white. I am a boring person.
If you are down to your last $10 what would you spend it on?
The next favourite and pray!
Thanks for spending 60 seconds with Winno!
More articles
|