Just eight weeks after training his first winner, Brett Gatt joined the list of city winning trainers when Joshua Tree saluted in the first at Sandown Park last night.
Despite drawing awkwardly in box 4, Joshua Tree jumped fairly but soon mustered speed to assume the lead through the first turn. From there, the striking 37kg blue chaser was never headed, racing to the line 2.5 lengths clear of favourite Velocemente in a slick 29.59 seconds.
“I thought he was a chance,” said Gatt.
“He needed a clear run and if he could get one I knew how fast he could go.”
Gatt’s involvement in greyhound racing has escalated quickly. After a brief flirtation with owning thoroughbreds, Gatt soon followed the lead of a work mate and friend Brad Burns and bought his first greyhound.
“I had a small share in a racehorse, but even with a 10% share the monthly bill was too much – it is definitely a rich man’s sport.
“The dogs are much cheaper, so it’s a much better way to get into the ownership side of things. We formed a syndicate with some mates and bought a few dogs that raced with Darren Purcell in Tasmania and between them they won something like 34 races.
“We reinvested the prize money into more dogs and it’s grown from there.”
Around that time, Gatt got to know one his neighbours, Meadows Chairman Eddie Caruana, and as well has giving him a few dogs to train, Gatt was soon helping Eddie and his wife Olympia work their greyhounds each weekend. Before long, Gatt had decided to give training in his own right a shot and was determined to give it his best shot. That involved moving the family to a more greyhound friendly property in Melton West.
“Nicole (his wife) loves the dogs and was very supportive of the move. Our kids Shayne and Brayden also love them, it’s a real family effort.
Nicole was on hand to enjoy Joshua Tree’s win last night, the third in Joshua Tree’s nine career starts. He has missed the placings just once in that time, and the $5000 winner’s cheque took Joshua Tree’s career prize money to $9765. A pretty good start to the 21 month old’s career.
“We’d be talking at a BBQ and people thought I was crazy spending $12,000 on a pup.
“But he trialled very well at Richmond at 15 months of age, and his breeding is very good, being a half brother to Omar Gee and is also closely related to Crump (also a winner at Sandown last night, running 29.29 seconds). He handles the two turns really well and it’s a fantastic line and I think he’s going to get better with a bit of maturity too.”
Gatt has received a lot of support from others in the industry, and is keen to learn as much as he can from his more experienced peers.
“There’s so much involved in training the dogs, it was bit of an eye opener.
“I try to speak to as many trainers as I can and take in what they teach me. I met Allan Britton for the first time last night and was very helpful. All the trainers are.”
And it would appear some punters have taken an interest as well.
“He’s been well backed each start,” said Gatt with a chuckle.
“I didn’t back him last night, but I did have him for a place in an All Up and he only paid $1.10 for the place – I thought he’d start a $5-$6 chance (he paid $3.80).”
Joshua Tree’s next assignment will be a return trip to Sandown Park this Thursday night, and will weigh up his options from there.
“He’s still just a pup and is still learning to race so we’ll try and find the right race for him. I think he’s got a very bright future.”
And so it would seem does his trainer.
PAW NOTE: Brett is a lifelong North Melbourne Kangaroos fan, drew the blue box with his blue dog and was kennelled in kennel number 96. Despite the omens, Brett didn’t back Joshua Tree to win!
