Coves carves his own path as a trainer

By Jordan Gerrans

After chasing his first winner around regional Queensland for the last couple of years, Nathan Coves can be excused for showing a fair bit of emotion when it finally came on Saturday.

The Townsville-based conditioner made the long five and a bit hour-long journey out to Richmond in the state’s North West with Nothin' But Looks and Gamboa.

He returned with a victory under his belt as a trainer for the first time and a memorable image of the celebration as well.

It was the well-travelled Gamboa who delivered the maiden triumph in the Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1000 metres in the opening event on the non-TAB card on Saturday.

As apprentice hoop Shae Nielson went past the winning post, Coves was on the other side of the fence with a decent fist-pump and a cheer to celebrate the milestone.

“I got a little bit excited,” Coves said with a laugh.

The former Mackay-based mentor had his first starter in a race back in September of 2022 and has travelled far and wide in search of a breakthrough victory.

He had prepared a galloper to finish third three times over the last couple of years.

Gamboa winning on Saturday at Richmond Turf Club was the first time he had one finish inside the top two.

Coves worked as a stable hand for a number of trainers in Mackay and Townsville before eventually taking out his own license.

“It was a bit emotional,” he said.

“Obviously your first winner is special and to do it with Shae Nielson as well, that was even better.

“We worked together down in Mackay when I lived down there and the horse that won – Gamboa – was a horse that we had in the stable back then also.

“It was something special. Shae is already messaging me asking where we are going next with the horse.”

Gamboa started his racing journey under the banner of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace back in 2019 and debuted in a black-type race.

The now six-year-old has bounced through a number of stables in the years since before eventually arriving with Coves in the middle stages of last year.

As well as the two Richmond starters on Saturday, Coves also has Thunder Moon in his barn.

He had 20 starters in a race before grabbing his first win. 

Gamboa’s win on the Richmond dirt provided a sense of reward for effort for the hobby trainer.

“It does get a little bit disheartening at times because you get up every morning and put your passion into it,” he said.

“There were a few times there when I was knocking on the door and I just did not get there.

“You never think about giving up but you are just questioning what you are doing wrong with the horse.

“To finally get one over the line, that was great as I was pretty confident heading out there on Saturday.

“My only question was if the horse would handle the dirt and he seemed to ok. Hopefully the second one isn’t too far away.”

Stable mate Nothin' But Looks finished down the track in the gelding's race at Richmond on Saturday. 

Gamboa's victory was the eleventh of Nielson's tenure as a jockey. 

Coves prepares a team of three gallopers as well as working as an operations manager in North Queensland.

He is aided by riders Frank Edwards and Rebecca Wilson at the track in the morning. 

“I get to spend more time with each horse and spoil them a little bit,” he said.

Respected veteran hoop Edwards was one of the first people to reach out to Coves to congratulate him on the milestone once he had completed his rides on Saturday at Atherton.