By Jordan Gerrans
There would not be many who have gone through the Queensland mini trotting sporting association over the decades who have not driven the evergreen and beloved Phantom Fella.
Phantom Fella will later this year turn 30 years of age and is still going as strong as ever, helping educate and train the next generation of trotting drivers in the Sunshine State.
Those involved at the mini trots declare Phantom Fella is a perfect teaching tool for keen young drivers, he has been doing it for so long that he shows them exactly where and how they need to get around the track.
Up-and-coming Queensland driver Zac Chappenden (pictured) learnt his trade on Phantom Fella, as did many others who went to drive on the big stage.
Club secretary Lynda Regazzoli believes Phantom Fella is just what most inexperienced mini trotting drivers need to learn how to compete in the sport.
“He has always been a good kid’s pony,” Regazzoli said.
“They all learn to drive on him, he knows when the flag drops you start and when you finish – you are finished.
“Every kid in the club would ridden him at one stage.
“He teaches the kids, he leads them the right way.
“He can gallop if the right driver is on him, of course that is to teach them to pull back when they are galloping and to trot along.”
The Queensland mini trotting sporting association is a non-for-profit sporting organization for children aged 5 -17 years and is seen as a stepping tool to the harness racing industry.
The association aims to help children learn horsemanship, responsibility, honesty, fairness and develop friendships.
Many of the revered Rasmussen family also came through the association and learnt the tricks of the trade through mini trotters.
At 29 years of age, he will soon hit the big 30 milestone, Regazzoli thinks Phantom Fella still has a few more years left in him on the racetrack.
“He is still very good at his age,” she said.
“He has been around for years and has been in the family for years as my daughter used him as her pony, which went to her kids and he has been here for everybody.
“He has been a fantastic little pony and has an attitude of his own – he goes the way he wants too in terms of directions.”
He also had a fellow veteran stable-mate until recently.
Grease Lightning, at the grand old age of 32, recently called time on his career but his younger mate is still fighting on.
“Through the years they have raced each other and been competitive,” Regazzoli said.
Phantom Fella, who is based at Caboolture, and his other mini trotters’ race around the state and most recently went around at Kilcoy last month.
While Phantom Fella still races, these days when he gets a bit tired, he will often just head off the track and finish up for the day.
Regazzoli, who bred and broke in Phantom Fella, says he just isn’t as competitive as he previously was through his advanced age.
As well as his exploits on the track, Phantom Fella has attended Inter Dominion races as well as champions events.