A year in racing can be a long time, but it seems like only yesterday that Cranbourne-based trainer Robbie Laing died.
This writer spoke to Laing in the days leading up to what would be his final runner El Soleado contesting a race at Flemington on the King’s Birthday weekend.
We joked how we both needed to lose weight, and it came as a huge shock to learn that Laing had died in his sleep only hours after El Soleado had run at Flemington.
El Soleado runs at Flemington in the Kooza – Now on at Flemington (1200m) on Saturday, the same race he contested last year, finishing second.
The gelding is now in the care of Jack Laing, one of Laing’s seven children, and there are similarities between father and son.
Laing senior had a cheeky grin and larger than life attitude which was on display when the younger Laing discussed having El Soleado back in the Cranbourne stable he shared with his father.
El Soleado was transferred to Robert Hickmott following his Flemington performance last year but after two runs, and a bleeding attack, has found his way back to Cranbourne.
Laing had only three horses in work when his father died and to make ends meet worked on the level crossing removal program.
His final day working on the railways was 12 months ago on Saturday to become a fulltime trainer again.
Laing had worked as a professional trainer in Victoria and had a stint in Queensland before coming back to Cranbourne with three horses to his name.
“I would come in early, work them, work in with Dad and then go and work on the rail build,” Laing said.
“I was doing that all the way through up until this Saturday last year, and the following morning, the rail work went away, and I became a fulltime trainer again.
“Dad was working for Winning Ways and when he died, I stepped in to feed the horses and get them worked and as horses started to disperse, and also handling Dad’s horses outside of the racing stable, a few people said did I want to keep the horses.
“I was happy to stay in the stables and that was part of my sales pitch to the owners of El Soleado, Colleen Bamford.
“I said it was going to be the same track venue, the same feed, the same stable, the same bridle and the same crossover noseband.
“If he was ever going to fire, it should be there.”
El Soleado has recovered from his bleed and is ready to head back to the races.
He won a Cranbourne jump-out in April and has been ticking over nicely for his return.
“When he first came back there was some apprehension,” Laing said.
“When he changed stables was it that he did handle the environment as a result of him having that bleed at the end of his last preparation or whether the horse had trained off and simply had enough.
“But after three or four weeks and having the same staff that Dad had, and I had been with the horse every other day, it became clear the horse was basically the same.
“He’s had a magnificent trial, he hasn’t bled, and he seems to be improving all the time.
“His work has been strong, he looks really good.
“He went through a period about four weeks ago where I wasn’t really happy with his condition, so I got that addressed and sent him to Caroline Price’s to do some treadmill work and he’s come back looking bigger and stronger and his work has been the same.”
Sheridan Clarke rode El Soleado last year but but this time around and Laing has called on Molly Bourke and her 2kg claim on Saturday.
Laing also saddles Bacchanalia in Saturday’s race and says no notice should be taken of the gelding’s last start effort at Sandown on May 23 when struck over the head by a rival’s whip.
