Stephen Matthews' stable in a construction phase

By Jordan Gerrans

As a man who runs a building company on the Darling Downs, Stephen Matthews understands the importance of an apprentice.

After running their own building companies, Toowoomba locals Matthews and Gary Lange joined to form Top of the Range Builders in 2007 and together they have over 50 years combined construction experience.

Matthews is a builder by trade during the day and a hobby horse trainer by morning and evening.

That is how Matthews refers to himself as a horse trainer – like an apprentice.

The Toowoomba-based Matthews is in the infancy of his tenure as a hobby trainer after being around the industry for decades as an owner.

He followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps who were also entrenched in the game.

Matthews produced his maiden winner as a trainer on his home deck earlier this month when Shadow Power bounced through maiden grade in dominant fashion.

The son of Dundeel heads to Ipswich on Friday aiming to nab the second victory of the horse and trainer’s career.

Matthews had his first starter in a race in the middle of June and admits it can be a challenging caper to take up as a rookie trainer.

He has been guided by fellow trainers such as Kevin Kemp, Paul Wallace, Dale Groves, Stephen Kirkwood and Cameron Richardson, among others, who he has lent on for knowledge and tips.

Matthews has owned plenty of interstate and locally-trained gallopers over the years.

“It is massive to take the next leap from being an owner to being a trainer,” he said.

“To do that and work out all the different ways of training and things you can do – it is all about learning.

“It is like being an apprentice really, you start at the bottom and work your way up by talking to people.

“It is important to talk to other trainers, that has been what I have done to learn and they give you pointers as my dad has done with me as well.

“Learning is the hardest thing and you are learning every day of the week with horses.

“It is important to ask questions of blokes who have been around for a long time and they will help you – it is good.

“They are happy to help you, spend the time with you and show you – that is the biggest part of it.”

Shadow Power was originally prepared by Blake Ryan in Sydney and went to the trials on five separate occasions without making his race day debut.

The three-year-old gelding was floated as a prospect to head to Hong Kong at one stage but once that did not eventuate, Matthews purchased the galloper.

With Nathan Fazackerley in the saddle, Shadow Power finished second on debut at Clifford Park before going bang a few weeks later by claiming his maiden in dominant fashion as a short-priced commodity under lights.

It was a special occasion for Matthews and his family as he shared the occasion with his father Russell who gives him a hand with his small team of horses.

“It was a thrill to get the first winner with my dad, that was a very good thing,” he said.

“He has been giving me a hand with training and learning.”

Russell’s father Lindsay had a trainer’s license many decades ago and racing has been in the clan ever since.

Russell was a track work rider and strapper in his younger days as well as working on stud farms on the Darling Downs.

“It has been in the family, my dad has always been involved with horses for years,” Stephen said.

“My dad rode track work since he was 15 years of age for J.J. Atkins. It has been in our DNA since I was a young kid.

“Dad gives me a hand now with the horses and my son helps me on race day.”

The team heads to Ipswich Turf Club on Friday headed towards the Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1350 metres with Fazackerley again doing the steering.

Fazackerley rides all the gelding’s track work.

“I think he will get a mile over time,” Matthews said of the galloper’s future plans.

“We will slowly step him up and I think he will be a better horse next prep.

“He is a bit immature still and hopefully he can soon go for a break and mature up, but in saying that he has matured heaps since we started him in a race.

“Hopefully he comes back better next prep and we can head back down the hill gain.

“He will be there when the whips are cracking on Friday, he has been well and he galloped well on Saturday ahead of this.”

As well as Shadow Power, Matthews has maiden galloper Zouwaler in his barn as well as recently purchased Encryption colt.