Trainor back for more Sunshine State feature riches

By Jordan Gerrans

Jack Trainor returns to the Sunshine State in the winter of 2023 wearing two different hats but the elite level horseman is adamant around what his major focus is.

The 29-year-old Trainor was a Group 1-winner this time last year after Town Echo saluted at massive odds in the Golden Girl at Albion Park.

He is back north of the border from his NSW base for the 2023 Constellations Carnival.

Trainor is preparing his own team of horses out of Jacobs Well while also taking a number of drives for other trainers, including his close mate Jason Grimson, in an array of feature races.

He is clear with his main aim when it comes to Queensland this campaign, he is here to train winners for himself first and foremost.

“I am here with the sole focus with the ones that I train,” he said.

“It is good to get more experience around these tracks and pick up other drives while I am here, as well.

“You always like when you see your name next to Jason Grimson horses, he always has them rock hard fit and ready to go.

“Hopefully 'Grimmo' has them spot on and I just need to point them in the right direction.”

For his mate Grimson, Trainor has collected the job on Inter Dominion winner I Cast No Shadow in Saturday’s Listed Wondais Mate as well as Abouttime earlier in the program.

He described I Cast No Shadow as his best drive of the card.

I Cast No Shadow is owned by popular Gold Coast-based harness racing identity Diane Reilly.

The 10-time Group 1-winning driver came to Queensland this time last year with just a small number from his own barn but has lifted that figure in 2023.

He had two go around at Redcliffe last Saturday evening on Gold Cup night and has two more entered for Albion Park’s Saturday night program.

“This year we have decided to bring a few more up for the carnival,” Trainor said on Tuesday morning.

“We have got a pretty handy team all the way through from the trotters, to three-year-olds and a couple of mare’s as well.

“Hopefully we have brought the right kind of team and we can get a result, as well.

“I really enjoyed my time here last year and hopefully it is a place that we can find ourselves most winter.”

Trainor is housing his pacers and trotters at the Cini families training facility at Jacobs Well through the carnival.

He has picked up a couple of drives for the Cinis, as well.

From his own barn, B K Swy will tackle the Queen Of Hearts race at Albion Park on Saturday following a last-start victory at Menangle.

“She went really good last start and she has drawn in nice and close,” Trainor said of B K Swy.

“She is a little sit and sprint mare that can't make her own luck so we will be relying on a few of the others do a bit much.

“I would be disappointed if she was not hitting the line strong.”

Trainor had Naturally Gifted in the Group 3 Redcliffe Derby last Saturday, with the youngster finishing just over five metres behind the winner.

Trainor feels Naturally Gifted did not handle ‘The Triangle’ track and will be better suited back in town in the upcoming Derby events.