Groves and Gollan share common interest

By Glenn Davis

Premier trainer Tony Gollan and Toowoomba’s Dale Groves share a few things in common apart from being old country boys.

Both started their trade working for Gollan’s late father Darryl, who was well-known in the Australian racing industry and had a love for rugby league.

Darryl Gollan made his mark early in his career as a part-owner of former Queensland champion Dalrello and left a lasting legacy as an owner, breeder and trainer before he lost a long battle with cancer five years ago.

While Tony Gollan has gone on to win 11 straight Brisbane trainers’ premierships, Groves leads the quiet life training a small stable of seven on a 40-hectare property between Toowoomba and Oakey.

“I went to high school with Tony and the day after my Grade 12 graduation I started working for his father,” Groves said.

“I’m a Gatton boy but I travelled up to Toowoomba for school every day.

“Tony and I both played rugby league and we both got Parramatta scholarships.”

As well as working for Darryl Gollan, Groves also gained valuable experience with fellow Toowoomba trainer Graham Banks, who is the father of his wife, Kristy.

Groves is hopeful of a strong showing from Charmed Passage in the Benchmark 62 Handicap over 1100 metres at Gatton on Friday.

Charmed Passage finished a close fourth in his Gatton debut three starts back in January when having only his second start for Groves after transferring from the Victorian trainer Clayton Douglas.

The son of Charm Spirit was since placed in an 1100 metre Class 1 Handicap at Ipswich before Groves sent him to Rockhampton where he strolled home by nearly two lengths on February 14.

Groves paid a paltry $6,000 for Charmed Passage who is owned by his wife.

Kristy Banks was a popular jockey in South East Queensland before her riding career was cut short after being involved in a serious race fall in 2011.

She was paralysed from the waist down but she still maintains an active interest in racing helping Groves with office duties.

“Kristy still helps a lot around the stable with nominations and cleans out the boxes sometimes and she’s got a good eye for tried horses,” Groves said.

“I’ve changed my way of training a bit and I nominate in a lot of places which is giving me better results.”