Gary Murnane is best known for his association with former star pacer Berisari, who he bred and owned throughout a sensational racetrack career that captured 21 wins and over $370,000 in prizemoney.
But it was a little-known colt that gave the 63-year-old one of his biggest thrills in harness racing at Ararat on Wednesday.
Murnane has been involved in breeding and ownership for the past couple of decades, but trained his very first winner when Top Gun Ted scored a narrow success in the Ararat Ford 3YO Maiden Pace.
“That’s probably my biggest thrill… even though it was just a normal country race at Ararat,” Murnane said.
“Herbo (driver James Herbertson), who I use all the time, I could see the smile on his face. He was just so happy. We’ve had a lot of bad luck in runs.
“He was just so happy for me to get that first one on the board. It gives you a little bit of confidence that you must be doing something right.”
Murnane is the brother of Greg Murnane, who prepared Shesmybaby for success in the Group 3 Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship last August, and trains from his own property in Miners Rest, just near the Ballarat Turf Club.
He’s had a long involvement in the sport, but only decided to get a trainer’s licence about six weeks ago. And he hasn’t had to wait long to land a breakthrough victory, with Top Gun Ted saluting as just his 14th runner to the races.
“Toby Ainsworth lived here on my property and trained out of here. They were all done here, I helped and then he went back to his family, so I thought I’d get it (a licence) and see how I go,” Murnane said.
“Ï haven’t really got a horse here that I don’t think I can win a race with. It wasn’t a big hassle getting a licence because I always had my strapper’s licence, always did the jog work and worked them anyway.
“It was my wife that talked me into it. She said ‘just do it under your own name’.”
Top Gun Ted’s mother is Tara Toplady, who Murnane purchased and won many races with before sending her to the breeding barn.
His next starter will be Top Gun Ted’s stablemate American Alli in the Inter Path 4Cyte Pace at Ballarat tonight.