Geelong based trainer Michael Shepherdson has been in the Flemington limelight of late with his six-year-old Ghetto Supastar doing a great job winning his last two starts at Headquarters. The son of Street Boss is not the first good horse Michael has been involved with – find out more…
Do you come from a racing family?
Yes, my dad was a top jumps jockey in South Australia. There used to be jumps races most Saturdays back in those days, it was a popular sport in that era. My brothers and I would spend every weekend at the races.
First racing memory?
Being at Morphettville when Lord Reims won his third Adelaide Cup; a massive crowd. There’s a famous picture of him at the front bar of the Morphett Arms.
Best horse you’ve been involved with?
I was lucky enough to ride Takeover Target a few times at Morphettville while he was in Adelaide for the Goodwood Hcp.
Best horse you have seen?
Probably Deep Impact when he ran third (later disqualified) in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Myself, Amy Yargi and Sam Kavanagh were working at Newmarket that season and we decided to go to Paris for a few days and go to Longchamp for the Arc.
Do you have any promising horses to look out for?
Yes Varadero, he recently won a nice VOBIS Gold maiden at Bendigo. He will be an exciting prospect next preparation over a mile and possibly further.
Who do you admire most in racing?
Guy Walter and John Size.
What is one change / improvement you’d love to see in racing?
I would like to see senior jockeys have the opportunity to have a claim to outride each season if they haven’t met a certain amount of winners the previous season. This could benefit senior jockeys coming back from injury or jockeys transitioning out of their apprenticeship into the senior ranks to provide some opportunity until they ride a certain amount of winners. Maybe a claim of 1.5kg until you have ridden five winners in a certain area (provincial, country, or metropolitan) and 1kg for a further five winners – worth a discussion at least.
Who is your ‘what if’ horse?
While I was at Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s – Royal Symphony. He could have been a freak miler. He went from a maiden to running fourth in a W.S Cox Plate within five months. Unfortunately due to injury we never got to see the best of him.
What is the funniest moment you’ve experienced in racing?
One day in Adelaide a novice stablehand was strapping in a race and went to hand the strappers bib to Hall Of Fame trainer Leon Macdonald – he didn’t get the nicest response!
What is your favourite racing moment?
Training Ghetto Superstar to recently win at Flemington, it was a childhood dream. To do it in a thrilling fashion coming from last and down the outside was exhilarating and a special moment.
If you could travel into a past racing moment?
It would be when Phar Lap travelled and conquered America.
Which horse of the past would you have liked to have trained?
Rubiton, a weight-for-age star and an incredible type.
Which horse of the present would you most like to have in your stable?
Jokers Grin – I have admired him in the west and I am keen to see what he can do in the eastern states.
What is your favourite pastime?
Watching my son Jimmy’s footy and my daughter Emily’s gymnastics.
What is your favourite TV show?
Watching the AFL show Bounce with the kids on a Sunday night. And I enjoy listening to Kane and Kingy on Fireball SEN, I’m a Baller 6.01.
Best concert you’ve been to?
The Killers.
What slogan summarises your outlook on life?
Give up never won a race.
Favourite Food?
Eye fillet or seafood.
Favourite Racecourse?
Flemington.
If you weren’t a trainer what would you be doing?
I would have a lawn mowing round and call it Lawn Enforcement!
