Kris Hansen ready to take over the family business in Rockhampton

By Jordan Gerrans

After 30 years in the game, Kris Hansen is almost ready to take over the family business.

The well-travelled track work rider and stable foreman’s career in racing will come full circle in the near future.

The son of respected Rockhampton trainer Kevin Hansen – Kris – started his apprenticeship as a jockey under his father decades ago when the family was based at Ipswich.

Both Kevin and Kris have travelled far and wide with the gallopers since then.

They are now back working together in Rockhampton as Kevin – who is in his early 70’s – nears retirement from the training ranks and Kris is getting ready to take over.

The 45-year-old Kris had his first starter as a trainer earlier this month – and will have another this Saturday – as he slowly builds up his team of horses, as his father winds down over the next few years.

“I have been thinking about it for quite some time and in a couple of years’ time, Dad is likely to retire, so I thought I would move up to Rocky, get my licence and eventually take over,” Kris said.

Kris has completed an extensive “apprenticeship” in stables around the world, gaining knowledge before he went out on his own.

He spent more than a decade at the Gold Coast with the Guy family and Gillian Heinrich, worked for John Hawkes, as well as heading over to ride in Singapore for a period of time.

Like many young apprentices’, Kris battled with his weight when he first started riding and would only last around nine months in the saddle.

The Hansen family went on a dazzling ride with their star galloper Sweet Dolly, winning four of her five career starts, which included the feature QTIS Jewel on the Gold Coast for two-year-old’s last year as well as the Listed Calaway Girl Stakes.

After a few niggling injuries, Sweet Dolly did not return to her brilliant best in her next preparation and was eventually retired.

During her short but stunning career, Kris was credited as “Dolly’s” constant companion and track work rider.

“Kris has a wealth of experience and has had a great grounding in racing to make it as a trainer,” Kevin said.

“He did ten years with John Hawkes; he went to him after he left my stable.

“Kris will go good; he will just need to knuckle down and get the owners.

“He has a few nice horses to kick off with and I am looking forward to seeing how he goes.”

After riding for and working under Group 1-winning trainers for decades, Kris feels he is ready to kick off his own career out of Central Queensland’s Callaghan Park.

“I feel very prepared for it all and I am looking forward to it,” Kris said.

“It is going to be a good challenge and we will see how we go.”

The rookie trainer had his first starter officially earlier this month at Townsville’s Cluden Park, with Frustrated finishing back in the field after being up with the leaders for much of the sprint journey.

Frustrated – formerly prepared by the Guy family on the Gold Coast before their retirement from the training ranks – was off the racing scene for over a year before that effort at Townsville.

He returns for his second assignment of this preparation on Saturday afternoon in non-TAB grade at Yeppoon.

The son of All Too Hard is set to face a small field in Benchmark 65 grade over the speedy 950 metres.

“The horse is going good and with a bit of luck Kris might be able to kick off with a winner in not too long,” Kevin said.

The Yeppoon race day on Saturday will be headlined by a qualifying race for the Country Cups Challenge Final over 1400 metres.

The Yeppoon Cup – which the CCC qualifier doubles as – has attracted a field of 10 for the $12,000 event,

Kris will start with just a couple of gallopers in his name before building that up to around eight to 10 as Kevin winds down.

“Kris will be up and going by the time I am ready to retire,” Kevin said.

“That is the long term plan over the next couple of years.”