Standardbreds blazing a trail to success at Ekka

By Andrew Smith

The Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program Showjumping Showcase gives retired racehorses the chance to show off their showjumping skills at the Ekka every year.

But it is the prestigious Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day that is as equally important in showcasing the two horse breeds to the general public.

Over $25,000 will be on offer across 18 ‘Led’ and ‘Under Saddle’ classes at this year’s event on Monday, August 11 at the Royal Queensland Show.

The raceday-style event will see the two versatile racing breeds compete for the sought-after Champion of their Breed, with horse handlers presenting their horses to the judges in formal race day attire.

Retrainer Candice Wilkins has been attending the event for several years, with a specialty in showing standardbreds.

She enjoyed some solid results in both the Standardbred Gelding and Standardbred Harness Turnout classes at last year’s Ekka with Dens Blue Beejay.

“He was a 21-year-old gelding and he's now actually retired in the paddock, that was one of his last outings,” Candice said.

“I've had him for about 14 years now and he ended up sixth in his led gelding class and fourth in his harness class so it was nice to have a final hurrah with him.

“I've basically got a brand-new team to take this year…it’s always great to go and have a bit of fun with like-minded people while we're doing it.”

Racing has been in Candice’s blood for as long as she can remember, with her aunty Lexie Coe a trainer and uncle Graham Coe a jockey.

Now 40, she has worked with standardbreds since she was 12 years old, developing her love for the breed while working for trainers Lola Weidemann and Ricky Gordon.

This year she is looking to take retired harness horses Lets Blaze and Samandnic to the Royal Queensland Show and climb higher up the final standings.

But simply being at the Brisbane Showgrounds and showing off her team is what brings her the greatest thrill.

“It gets them out there and it gets to show the public that they aren't just for racing,” Candice said.

“They are perfectly good horses - with the right education and the right sort of hands moving forward, they can do just about anything.

“We are also showcasing them in led, harness and ridden classes, and there's some quality horses that turn up each year, and I'm hoping that it continues to stay that way.”

Lets Blaze had 14 victories during a 77-race career on the harness track under the training of Jonah Hutchinson, while Samandnic only had the three starts in Victoria.

Based just outside of Bundaberg, Candice currently has five horses at her DeRosa Park Rehoming and Performance Horses property.

She is keen to see more retrainers follow the lead of Giuditta Crisci and sign up to join the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program and specialise in retraining standardbreds.

“I think they are an underrated breed that have a lot to offer with the right person,” Candice said

“Giuditta and (former QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer) Amanda Chant were great ambassadors on giving them the correct start, and giving them what's necessary to make them successful in their lives post-racing.

“If they have the correct start, they can be jumpers, show horses, dressage horses, beautiful party ornaments, trail riders…they can be anything.”

Entries for the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day competition close on Friday, August 1.

Click here for more information or to enter the competition.