Jason Hancock follows in late mentor's footsteps

By Jordan Gerrans

Rookie conditioner Jason Hancock has paid tribute to his late mentor Pat Duff just days after he captured the maiden victory of his own training career.

The 22-year-old hails from the Nanango area of the Sunshine State and relocated to Brisbane a couple of years ago to learn under the revered Duff.

The young horseman worked under the trainer that was widely regarded as the gentleman of the racing industry in Queensland right up until his sad passing late last year.

Hancock completed an array of roles under Duff’s guidance, including riding trackwork, driving his horses to the races as well as breaking in his juveniles.

“He was one of the best, he taught me nearly everything I know,” the young horseman said.

“He was such a gentleman and he knew everything, if you asked him any question he would have the answer for you.

“He was one of the best people you could ever know. He was very modest; he was never gloating and he was the first person to congratulate someone else when they had a winner at the races.”

Duff was raised at Wondai in the South Burnett.

Hancock is now using the Wondai track to launch his own training career.

On top of being a brilliant trainer and master horseman, Duff was highly regarded for the influence he had on Queensland’s jockey ranks, guiding the careers of some of the sport’s biggest names including legendary jockeys Mick Dittman, Michael Pelling and Jim Byrne.

While Duff guided the big-name hoops, he also worked closely with his trackwork pilots – including Hancock.

The fledgling Hancock barn landed their first winner on Saturday afternoon.

Hancock nabbed his maiden victory as a trainer at just his fourth opportunity.

Indented Head – who was previously prepared by Vishan Venkaya – has had three starts for the Wondai-based conditioner for a best-placed effort of third at Bell last month.

Suenito is a new acquisition for the up-and-coming mentor after previously being in the care of Robert Lyford at Beaudesert.

While the five-year-old chestnut did not make much of an impact for Lyford, he jumped out of the ground at his first chance for Hancock, scoring by three lengths.

Minonette Kennedy did the steering for the rookie conditioner and his gelding won well in the Maiden Plate over 1200 metres on the non-TAB program.

Suenito was well-supported in the market and started as the equal favourite at Gayndah Jockey Club.

“It was a great day there and a good win,” Hancock said.

“The horse did everything right and went around perfect.

“It was a bit of a shock for me because he does not gallop in his work, he only wants to go three-quarter pace.

“He is a horse that you just need to leave fresher for the races. He is a horse that is easy to do anything with.”

Hancock was always destined for a career in the racing game as his father was also involved and broke in horses.

He began riding trackwork for Glenn Richardson at Nanango when he was a teenager and his involvement in the caper just grew from there.

With four in work and one galloper out spelling, it can be a challenge for a young person to establish themselves as a trainer but the passionate horseman is up to the task.   

He will use the Wondai track to gallop his horses on top of the track he has on his own property.

“I am loving it, I love doing it because I have been in the game for ages,” he said.

“I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”

As well as his own small team of horses, Hancock is busy pre-training for other stables.

“I am doing a lot of pre-training and breaking in for Michael Lakey and a few other people,” he said.

Hancock went searching for his second victory of his training tenure when he took two horses north to Thangool Race Club on Monday.

Jackylls Dansa had her first race day appearance while What A Weekend started in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1200 metres.

Jackylls Dansa and What A Weekend both finished outside of the money.