Racing: Mornington trainer Glenn Stewart wins the Hotham at Ballarat with Mylex
Former VFA footballer Glenn Stewart is loving life as a horse trainer, last week winning Australia’s richest race for battlers, The Hotham.
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Glenn Stewart is glad he didn’t sell his mare Mylex six months ago.
“A bloke offered me 10 grand for her,” he said.
Stewart’s decision paid off handsomely last Friday when Mylex — the only horse he trains — won Australia’s richest race for battlers, The Hotham, at Ballarat.
Despite having never won in 30 starts, Mylex peaked at precisely the right time, storming down the outside to bolt away with the winner’s cheque of $41,250 — all going to Stewart, who also owns Mylex with his wife, Linda.
A free service with 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain was also thrown in.
Stewart describes Mylex as a talented who mare dislikes travelling. In fact, she put a few hoof prints in the Stewart’s float on the way to Ballarat.
“I could have picked up an easy maiden somewhere but she’s just a real bad traveller,” Stewart said.
“I just ran her around here, Pakenham, Cranbourne and Mornington.”
Stewart understands better than most that sporting success can come quickly or take a while. He’s living proof.
The former footballer played VFA seniors at Frankston Dolphins at the age of 36, alongside the great Jeff Sarau.
But many years before, Stewart achieved instant success as a 16-year-old apprentice jockey, riding a winner with his first mount in a race at Stony Creek in 1967.
Later, his first runner as a trainer also won.
Stewart had about 30 rides as a jockey, for a handful of winners, before weight forced him to hang up the saddle.
At 24, he started playing senior football, captain-coaching Carrum to a grand final, and also playing with Chelsea.
“I played at Frankston Bombers with Payzey (Travis Payze), (Paddy) Flaherty and all them — I was vice captain there for about four years — and also Billy Thompson,” he said.
“At Chelsea, I done my hammy just before the premiership. I coached Carrum to a grand final, but we got beaten.”
Stewart worked on the wharfs before becoming a horse trainer.
Stewart’s sons were top footballers; Mark played many games for the Frankston Bombers and Leigh played over 300 games and coached several local clubs.
Sporting talent runs deep in the family.
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Two of Stewart’s nephews reached the highest level in their chosen sport — Damien Fleming played cricket for Australia and Tim Allen played AFL for Hawthorn and Geelong.
As for Mylex, she’s still for sale — “something around 30 grand, maybe a bit more” — and Stewart believes she’s got more wins in her.
She will race next at Mornington on Monday, Stewart saying she will be even better on a wet track.