Happy to fly under the radar, Craig Weeding was never expecting any fanfare following his 200^th win as a trainer at Balranald recently, as the storyline played second fiddle after his apprentice, Cassidy Hill, rode a winning double.

Racing at the Southern Districts racecourse on Saturday, October 25, Weeding and Hill combined for a Country Cup double as Foxlike won the Balranald Cup and Big Day Out won the Spring Cup.

While the focus was understandably on Hill and her red-letter day in the saddle, it was a fitting result as stable stalwart, Big Day Out, won his 11^th race, which was coincidentally the 200^th triumph of Weeding’s burgeoning training career.

Educated and trained by Weeding in Wangaratta, Big Day Out won as a 2YO at Wagga in February of 2020, and was the stable’s first metropolitan winner, and has since been a good earner for connections, collecting over $325,000 in 83 starts.

“It is a fitting result,” Weeding said.

“He was one of the first horses we were given to break in and start from scratch, and he’s been a big part of the stable for a long time.

“He’s been a milestone horse for several reasons, so it is nice to get that result with him.”

The win also skyrocketed Weeding’s earnings as a trainer to over $5 million, another telling milestone that represents his stable’s hard work.

“It’s nice to achieve it, but I’m more focused on the next 200 wins and next $5 million in prizemoney than we are on the last 200 wins and $5 million in prizemoney,” Weeding said.  

From humble beginnings, Weeding started life in Adelaide with no family involvement in horses before forging his own path.

He commenced when frequenting the local pony club from dawn, pleading to have a ride on other children’s ponies.

Craig ventured to Morphettville racecourse and worked as a track rider and stablehand for several trainers before joining Oakside Park Stud in the Adelaide Hills under the keen eye of respected horsewoman Roslyn Day.

It was this opportunity that gave Craig an excellent education and foundation. 

Craig was then approached to work for Sean Buckley’s Ultra Thoroughbreds in Kilmore and spent four years there before working at Flemington and Caulfield for the likes of Crown Lodge, Rick Hore-Lacey and Aquanita/Tony Vasil, followed by a stint working with Scott Holcombe,

After training a handful of racehorses out of his Hawkesbury property, Craig made the bold move to relocate to Wangaratta, where he purchased a 25-acre property and on-course stables at Wangaratta racecourse.

Five years and 200 wins later, Weeding has established himself as a leading country trainer, enjoying success throughout Victoria and New South Wales.

Jake Duffy has been a massive part of Weeding's journey, riding 87 winners for Craig and earning almost $2.3 million in prizemoney.

Duffy touched on the stable’s growth and Weeding’s eye for talent.

“It’s a testament to his dedication,” Duffy said.

“He started with bugger all really, and he came down and had three or four horses and built it from the ground up.

“While I’m part of it, a lot more people are part of it, and he is more than just a horse trainer in that aspect, as he has had success with other business ventures before, so he understands the importance of having good staff and knows that you’re only as good as the people around you.”

Duffy didn’t want to single out any particular moment as a standout with Weeding, and instead, suggested he also rides the highs and the lows with the stable.

“Any of the winners are important to be honest, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be me riding them either; I get just as much enjoyment seeing them win,” Duffy said.

“I ride the rough spots and good spots with him.”

Duffy was pleased to see Big Day Out bring up the milestone victory, having combined with the eight-year-old Delago Deluxe gelding on many winning occasions.

“I think the fact that it was Big Day Out’s 11^th win suggests that Craig can get longevity out of them and showcases his training ability when he educates horses and gets them to race for many years.

“It’s a good win and milestone, and a fitting one, but I’d say 200 is just scratching the surface at this stage.”

Craig trained his first winner in 2018, with Chocolate Coated (Brodie Loy), winning a 1600m Maiden Plate at Queanbeyan.

Following his move to Wangaratta, Dannii French joined the team in 2020, progressing to stable forewoman, and Weeding’s right-hand woman was thrilled to see the stable reach another milestone.

“It definitely makes the long hours worth it, that’s for sure,” French said.

“There’s a lot of work behind the scenes, and the late nights with Craig doing book work and other things that owners and the public don’t see.”

French said Weeding was firmly on top of everything happening at his properties, which she believes is the secret to his success as a trainer.

“He’s really hands-on,” French said.

“He generally will know what is happening with any horse, and where they are up to.”

French believes the future is looking bright for Weeding Racing, with everything in place for years of success.

“With all the new foundations built, and the farm developed how he wants, it’s going to lead to a lot more wins in the future,” French said.

Weeding followed up with his 201^st win at Swan Hill on Tuesday, with the unbeaten Snapshot (Jake Duffy) proving too good in the 975m Benchmark 56 Handicap.

The team has a busy few days ahead, with runners at Kilmore today, Berrigan and Tumut on Saturday, Corowa on Monday, and Wangaratta on Tuesday.

Words: Jeff Hanson - Country Punter