Veteran bush horseman set for rare Townsville visit

By Jordan Gerrans

Still riding his own track work at almost 70 years of age, veteran horseman John Heelan makes the long journey from Clermont to Cluden Park on Friday with what he believes is a winning chance.

Heelan has long trained on the provincial and country circuit through Central and North Queensland.

He was originally a conditioner of grass fed horses for racing at Twin Hills and Clermont, among other tracks.

For much of his almost five decade tenure as a trainer, the 69-year-old prepared his small team of horses on his cattle property he owned, which is based 140kms north of Clermont.

The experienced trainer has recently retired from the grazier game – with his son taking over his property – as he has relocated his small team of gallopers to the Clermont Race Club.

Gelding Test Of War will carry the Heelan stables hopes in the Class 6 Plate over 1000 metres at Townsville on Friday afternoon.

A six-time career winner from 44 attempts, Heelan has prepared the son of Testa Rossa for the assignment himself, riding all his track work since he picked up the gelding early last year. 

“I enjoy it, I have ridden horses all my life,” he said of riding track work at his age.

“I give my horses a lot of pace work, I work them up slowly.

“It seems to be working at the moment.

“I enjoy working them and like playing around with ordinary horses.

“I just try and pick up a cheap horse these days to have a bit of fun with.”

With the majority of non-TAB racing in the Central West and surrounding areas taking a break over the warmer summer months, many trainers – including Heelan – look to the provincial tracks to race their gallopers at this time of year. 

Test Of War and Heelan have travelled to Mackay on three occasions since the start of December, with the geldings most recent effort – where he finished third and was only beaten just under three lengths – his best yet.

The trainer is hopeful Cluden Park will suit the seven-year-old bay.

He is set to make the long 500km drive from Clermont to Townsville on Friday morning. 

“I do not go to Townsville much but over the years I have taken a few up and they have performed to expectations,” he said.

“I virtually need to go to Rocky, Mackay or Townsville with no racing out our way and Townsville suited the best this time for this horse.”

Heelan has enjoyed the shift to training out of Clermont Race Club in recent times and is stabled on course.

“It is a very good track and set-up at Clermont to train your horses at,” he said.

Clermont next hosts a race meeting in the first week of May in 2023.

Heelan last prepared a winner at Mackay in late April of last year when Miss Confidante was successful in maiden grade.

Test Of War is yet to win for Heelan after starting his career in NSW with Gary Portelli before he was transferred to premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan.

Test Of War – who is usually an on-speed runner – has drawn perfectly in barrier one and will be aided by apprentice Marnu Potgieter’s claim.

The veteran sprinter drops back to 1000 metres on Friday afternoon after racing at 1100 metres and beyond in each of his last four starts.

The shorter trip at Townsville should suit the gelding, Heelan thinks.

“He has had six starts this time in and each time he has jumped and ran well before he knocked up late,” he said.

“He had been in work for a long time before I got him so I put him back in the paddock for much of 2022.

“He is now performing up to expectations for a horse his age, he is a solid horse that does everything right.

“I enjoy training him and riding him.

“The fellas that own this horse are guys I went to college with 50 years ago, three of them are first-time horse owners.”