Owner on ride of a lifetime with The Harrovian

By Jordan Gerrans 

Leviathan north Queensland owner Tom Hedley hopes The Harrovian’s journey to the All-Star Mile can show others that you do not have to break the bank to win big in racing.

The much-loved “Big H” is now locked into a 2021 Victorian campaign, on the back of a 11-start winning streak, heading towards the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month before the big dance: the $5 million The All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley in March.

Long-time owner Hedley, who has countless business interests around Australia, has shown over the years that he has no concerns opening the wallet wide to purchase promising horses.

But, the star that is The Harrovian was not one of those, picked up for just $20,000 and he has now won $744,830 across 17 career victories, from just 30 starts.

And, there is every chance that number expands again in Melbourne soon.

“Hopefully this can give people a bit of hope that you do not have to pay a lot of money for a good horse,” Hedley said.

When The Harrovian first was handed the title of “King of the north” when winning the northern crown series for the first time in 2019, the orange colours of Hedley had five chances in the Cup races in Cairns and Townsville.

Stayers such as Vassal and Estikhraaj cost more than double what The Harrovian did – but they could not get close to the champion.

It has been an amazing journey for the seven-year-old gelding, his connections – including former trainer Stephen Massingham – as well as new training partnership of Toby and Trent Edmonds on the Gold Coast.

It was only just under two years ago that The Harrovian was winning a Class 3 Plate at Cairns’ Cannon Park and now he is in the top five of voting for the 2021 All-Star Mile.

“It is joke, it is unbelievable isn’t it?” Hedley laughed.

“I still can’t believe it at times, it is fantastic.”

The Cairns Jockey Club’s president, Hedley, is known for owning several pub’s and restaurants, among other businesses, around north Queensland.

But, his business interests also extend to Victoria, where is stable star is heading, with the All Seasons Resort Hotel in Bendigo also in his name.

A lengthy meeting between the Edmonds’, Massingham and Hedley late last week confirmed the gelding’s path in 2021.

Hedley admits he was more than apprehensive to take The Harrovian to Victoria after the gun horse almost died on the way to Cairns a few years ago in the truck from Melbourne.

Big H needed 10 litres of plasma, costing around $4000, the connections have recalled over the journey, which was no issue for the horse’s new owner.

When it was decided The Harrovian could fly to Melbourne ahead of the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and $5 million The All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley, instead of heading down on the road, the plan was locked in.  

“I was cautious about how we were going to get him there, but now that we have decided to fly him down, I am more comfortable with that,” Hedley said.

“I did not want to take a risk after what the poor bastard went through last time on the float.

“The travel was the biggest concern but also – the horse has nothing to prove. Do we really need to go down there?

“We considered giving him a spell and then bringing him back for the Queensland winter carnival.”

As of Thursday afternoon, The Harrovian is fifth in line for voting in the All-Star Mile.

Click here  if you want to get behind “Big H” and lock him in for the All-Star Mile.