Hot Livingstone stable about to get treacherous

By Jordan Gerrans

Veteran John Livingstone has nabbed his first winner in more than a decade and his training return looks set to go to another level in the coming weeks.

The 68-year-old prepared a victory in the Sunshine State for the first time since the 2010-11 season when Jaccka Cooper landed the prize at Redcliffe last week.

Jaccka Cooper was driven by John’s son Brent who also returned to the sport earlier this year after a lengthy hiatus.

The Livingstone team were a powerful one in Queensland more than a decade ago with John boasting almost 700 career victories to his name, annually training upwards of 40 winners a term before stepping away in the 2010-11 campaign.

Jaccka Cooper’s performance around ‘The Triangle’ might just be the start of bigger things to come for the returning racing clan.

The Jacobs Well-based stable are now training Hot And Treacherous who has raced in Group 1 company in recent years as well as through the Inter Dominion series at Albion Park.

Hot And Treacherous has won two trials this month as he nears a racetrack return soon.

After a lengthy spell from the training ranks, John says he took up the challenge of returning to the industry following a nudge from his son Clinton.

“I am enjoying it,” John said.

“The horses get me going.”

Comeback reinsman Brent collected his first winner back in the caper in March of 2024 and was quick to give a nod to his father following the triumph.

“Hopefully I can make Dad happy, he always watches the races and he got a real thrill out of me driving,” the returning reinsman said at the time.

“Dad always suggested to me that I should get my licence back again. I want to be successful and it is about pride for your family.

“I want to get back into it more so and get more drives. He was straight on the phone and was quick to critique my drive.”

Clinton owns Hot And Treacherous and Jaccka Cooper as well as the growing stable his father prepares.

The majority of the horses the Livingstones are racing have been purchased from across the ditch.

Clinton has had a solid strike-rate in recent years for identifying talent and bringing horses to Australia.

“Clinton was keen for me to get back into it and have a go,” John said.

“He wanted to give me horses to give me another go and I took the challenge on.

“Clinton owns all the horses, we have got nine at the moment and there is a few more coming. He has a few more in New Zealand he owns that are coming over here, as well.

“He will bring a few more to me once I have more room.”

John stepped away from training following the death of his wife and also noted he just needed a break from the sport, as well.

Between 2000 and 2007, John prepared at least 38 winners every term, including a high mark of 59 victories one campaign.

Jaccka Cooper delivered him his first winner back after he returned to the training ranks earlier this year. 

The seven-year-old scored over 1780 metres with son Brent in the sulky.

Starting from the outside gate on the front line, Brent fired Jaccka Cooper up in the early stages to sit midfield for much of the trip.

The 37-year-old Brent got going well before the home turn at Redcliffe and it proved to be a winning move as they claimed victory by a touch over a metre. 

“Brent drove the horse well and gave it every possible hope,” John said.

“We had a bit of trouble getting the horse pacing properly in the early days but we got him going.

“He may have turned the corner – he is nothing flash – but he goes ok.”

It was the gelding’s first win in four attempts since arriving in Australia for the Livingstones earlier this year.

The classy Hot And Treacherous is back in the Sunshine State after racing under the banner of leading horseman Jason Grimson for the majority of 2024.

Hot And Treacherous initially was prepared by Jack Butler in Queensland before heading to Grimson for an array of black-type events.

He was last at the races in July of this year when he finished well back in the field in the Group 3 Mr Feelgood at Albion Park.

After two trials at the same venue this month, the established open class pacer is nearing a return and caught the eye of respected broadcaster Chris Barsby.

“Hot And Treacherous was able to win the trial, holding off Future Assured for Trent Dawson,” Barsby said.

“I think there is every chance Hot And Treacherous will trial again before he starts and we are looking forward to seeing these horses back in the free for all ranks in the time to come.”

The father-and-son Livingstone team to Albion Park on Wednesday of this week aiming to nab their first winner back in the sport together at the venue with trotter Gaz Man.

Gaz Man has impressed in recent trials and has only had the one race start since arriving from NZ.

He steps out over 2138 metres on Wednesday.

“He goes good,” John said.

“We still have not sorted him out properly but he has got ability. He trialled well at Redcliffe, we were happy with him.”

The family also have talented trotting mare Funny Face in their barn.