Former Shepparton local Liam Howley poses with his horse Station One after it won the Kyneton Cup. Photo: Racing Photos.
Photo by
Brett Holburt
Station One was the venue where horse trainer Liam Howley grew up cutting his teeth, but it was at Bendigo on Wednesday where his stable’s namesake caught the eye of the racing fraternity.
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Station One, named after the infamous and now closed Shepparton nightclub Station One, clinched the Kyneton Cup (2200m) in gutsy circumstances to deliver Howley and Goulburn Valley connections a memorable day out.
The four-year-old gelding enjoyed a sublime steer from jockey Craig Newitt to salute in the $125,000 feature race.
Newitt, who was on board the 2021 edition’s winner, ensured Station One ($8) took up the early running and led all the way from start to finish.
Speaking on Thursday in the wash-up after the cup triumph, Howley said the result would not be forgotten anytime soon.
“Honestly, it’s a huge moment,” Howley said.
“He’s a really important horse to me because he’s the first one I bought after I decided to go my own way as a trainer.
“I’ve got a lot of family back in Shepp in the ownership group, as well as a lot of friends and good Shepp people. There’s a strong GV connection there.”
The win is extra sweet for Howley.
The former Shepparton local is now based at Kyneton and the victory landed him his local cup.
“It’s a massive achievement for us. We’ve got a young team, a lot of young horses and we’re trying our best to make an impact,” he said.
Winner, winner: Station One, ridden by Craig Newitt, wins the Kyneton Cup. Photo: Racing Photos.
Photo by
Brett Holburt
Shifted to the Bendigo racetrack, the Kyneton Cup was the feature event on the nine-race card.
Station One was up in class and down in weight from his previous start, but bookies judged it as the fifth best horse in a small field.
Howley said the plan was always for Newitt to roll forward, find clear air and lead the pack around.
“He’s certainly not the fastest horse, but he’s got big lungs and plenty of spirit which he showed,” he said.
“He loves to get out in front and pin the ears back ... at the 600m he looked in trouble, but he was just so brave.
“He needed the perfect ride and ‘Froggy’ (Newitt) gave him a 12 out of 10 ride.’’
A name that is synonymous with the Goulburn Valley — for those old enough who religiously walked up the stairs at the Sherbourne Terrace on weekends — Station One is now the pride of many owners and followers in the region.
Celebrations from the travelling Shepparton connections may not have rivalled those back in the heyday at Station One, but Howley said it was still a thrill to share the glory with family and friends.
“(Station One) is where we cut our teeth back in the day,” Howley said when he revealed how his gelding earned its name.
“We wanted an iconic Shepp name and it was the obvious one to go with.”
So what’s next for the up-and-coming stayer?
Howley said he would enjoy the triumph for a few days before figuring out the next plan.
“I’m not sure yet, we’ll let the dust settle and go from there,” he said.
“The handicapper will have a big say now in what we do next, but I think he’s deserved a couple of weeks off. I think we might see the best of him next autumn and spring.”
