Former Jockey Ricky Debono’s continued transition to harness racing trainer has taken another stride forward after Big Sledge Hammer saluted in the Terang Co-Op Mitre 10 Pace on Tuesday night.
The former hoop with over 120 wins combined with driver Ash Warton – a Group 1-winning trainer in his own right – to take out Tuesday’s first race in the south-west.
Debono and Warton connected through thoroughbred racing before converting to the trots.
“I hadn’t ridden for 15 years, and I made a comeback to try and ride a winner for Ash on one of the horses that he owns,” Debono said.
“My second ride back after 15 years won, and I got to ride a winner for him. He has driven a few for me now so it is pretty special.
“Ash is a really good mate of mine, and it is really good to have him on.”
The Freshwater Creek horseman has always had a passion for the trots.
“I have always had an interest in harness racing. Thoroughbred racing has been my job my whole life,” he said.
“I like harness racing because it has never been my job. It’s just a little bit different and I really enjoy it as my hobby.”
The contrast between training and riding could not be more different according to the 38-year-old.
“It’s a totally different kettle of fish,” he said. “Training is certainly harder – riding you sort of get off the horse and it is not your problem.
“But when it falls apart as a trainer, you have got to try and get all the pieces back together.”
Debono has found the standardbred to be an exemplary breed of horse.
“The workload of a standardbred is a hell of a lot different to the way thoroughbreds are trained,” he said.
Warton works as an assistant to thoroughbred trainer Kelvin Bourke and Tuesday night’s driving success was his first since December 2021.
