Sunday Session: Peter Moody reveals the life changes that will make him a better trainer

Peter Moody will return to horse training with a refreshed attitude on life, four years after handing in his trainer’s licence a disillusioned man, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Peter Moody is looking forward to his return to training horses.

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Peter Moody is making a comeback to horse training, four years after handing in his licence a disillusioned man when suspended for the unintentional use of cobalt.

The four-time Melbourne premiership-winning trainer speaks about how a change has refreshed and refocused him, why his team will never be as big as it was and why he is still more at home beside a camp fire at Alice Springs than at a inner-city hotel.

During your time away did you master the art of sleeping in?

No but how much sleep do you need? You are a long time dead.

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Peter Moody is excited about returning to the training ranks.

The big question is why are you coming back to train?

I have always had the itch there and said never say never. I never had a determination to come back but I will be honest with you. It was as economical as anything. I love my horses and breed and race quite a few and it became a bit of a financial drag to pay other people to do a job I could do myself. I love it and I have never been far removed from it.

Do you head back to training with a different perspective?

I would like to think I have learned time management and that is something I can take into my training. Quality of life. And that will help me be a better trainer. Rather than just grinding it out day in, day out with nothing else to look forward to, I have rekindled old friendships and realised the value of a life away from racing.

Who would win a 1400m race between Winx and Black Caviar?

(Laughs) Who cares?

Tight contest?

They were both great horses. You would hate to see Black Caviar with a “2” beside her name wouldn’t you?

Peter Moody was reunited with his champion sprinter Black Caviar at Flemington in Lightning Stakes Day. Picture: AAP

The whole cobalt saga with Lidari was a rugged time. Does it still bother you?

I have moved on and got over it. But I think the scary thing for officials and participants is that no one has really got to the bottom of it (positive cobalt swabs) and the cause of it and how to control it. We still see young trainers facing charges from it over the past 18 months which is four or five years since I was the first one in Victoria to have a positive swab rule.

So you have left it behind?

I had to get over it. I’m a bit like Steve Smith walking back into a cricket match at South Africa this week. You have to move on and take the next step and face the adversity. People will think and say different things but those close to you know you and respect you for the job you did.

What were the secret pleasures of not having to train?

Generally spending time with family. Simply things like going to your kids’ sport and attending mates’ birthdays rather than attending racing functions because you are obliged to. Playing a bit of social sport myself and doing some travel and taking in the world and Australia which other people who have their six weeks off a year can do.

What is your favourite social sport?

I am involved in my own little sporting community at South Belgrave (in Melbourne) where I live. It’s a football club and a netball club and I just enjoy being a part of it. I play a game of veteran’s cricket every few weeks over summer.

Peter Moody said his time away from training has given him a fresh perspective on life. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

I know you love your war history. What was the most inspiring things you saw in your travels?

Standing on the plateau looking over the Kokoda Valley was unbelievable. No more so than standing in Monash’s Gully at Anzac Cove and looking back over the Cove. But I loved laying at the grass at what they used to call Sausage Valley in northern France near an area where the soldiers used to go for R and R, a drink and a smoke. They just used to lay there and hope a bomb did not go off on them because they were eight miles from the front line.

That must have felt quite eerie?

Well you just lie there and close your eyes and picture what they would have gone through 100 years ago. It is pretty moving stuff.

Was there anything you learnt from being a media man on the other side of the fence?

I think you continually evolve. I watched Anthony Freedman and was inspired with the run he had with a smaller operation. But I also admired Chris Waller and his day-to-day management of a big team. He is a whole different level and I like the way he marshals the troops and gets the job done. But I never wanted to be too critical because I know the hours and hours of work that goes in to try and ready these horses.

You got a strong following with those “Moody on the Mike” segments for Ladbrokes. Did you enjoy it?

I enjoyed the media thing and I am still contracted to Ladbrokes and Channel 10 for another 12 months and I have made Racing Victoria aware of that and hopefully they see favourably upon that and I can at least continue to do it in the short term. Both parties are keen for me to continue and with a smaller team I can easily do it.

Entering the Caulfield trainer’s tower for the first time since announcing his impending return to the training ranks, @moodyracingpgm copped a few questions himself, in the Blue Diamond edition of #MoodyOnTheMic pic.twitter.com/waaQkRTbSY

— Ladbrokes.com.au (@ladbrokescomau) February 18, 2020

Some of your favourite wins were out at bush meetings weren’t they like the Wyandra and Charleville Cups?

I love my rural racing. I think it’s the backbone of what we have on the seaboard. I was at Emerald the other day and had a great time at the Queensland country awards. I love getting home to Charleville each May for the Charleville Newmarket meeting and winning the Charleville Cup as an owner was a great thrill. I like Birdsville, I’m going to Port Lincoln to the Launceston Cup as a Ladbrokes ambassador next Wednesday. I love those down-to-earth people. I am more at home at a camp fire at Alice Springs than sitting in Crown Towers in Melbourne.

How many horses will you train?

I am looking at having 40 in work at Pakenham and probably around 100 on our books all-told. By having a smaller team of horses I can still have a life to myself which previously I didn’t have.

Did you ever have to bite your tongue when you were an owner with a horse with another trainer?

Most of the guys I had horses with were guys I had worked with. They respected my opinion. With all due respect, it was not as if it was a lawyer, doctor, plumber or carpenter telling their trainer how to train. I went through that for a long time.