Since obtaining her trainers licence in 2001 Melissa Harrison has lived by the “have saddle, will travel” creed, proudly winning races at 38 different tracks since that time! We learned more about her with our QUICK QUESTIONS…
What is your first racing memory?
Watching the Phar Lap movie when I was a little girl.
Who is your favourite horse and why?
Would have to be Black Caviar, she was outstanding every time she raced.
Who are the best horses you’ve been involved with?
I was lucky to be working for the late great Bede Murray when we had Universal Prince ,Victory Vein and Crows Before Dawn.
Who are your ‘what if’ horses?
Mydream was amazing to us but she had a hell of a bad temper, I think her last prep which ended prematurely due to being slapped with another two trials would have been her best yet.
Not so long ago we purchased a lively little mare named Sharing Is Caring; we unfortunately lost her to colic and she was starting to really build a record – who knows what she could have been, that was a blow.
What is one change/improvement you’d love to see in racing?
Love to see better life after racing practices – we need more help with our retirees. It is so important for them to be cared for and to take the pressure off us trainers.
What is your favourite racing moment/biggest thrill?
Biggest moment was definitely Road To Summer winning his fifth straight at Rosehill on Cox Plate Day; it was like a dream.
What is your favourite pastime outside of racing?
What’s a pastime?!
Favourite concert?
Ed Sheeran was great live.
What slogan summarizes your outlook on life?
The harder you work the luckier you get … right?!
Favourite food?
A good parmi.
Favourite racecourse?
Warwick Farm.
If you weren’t a racehorse trainer what would you be doing?
Pouring beer I guess.