NRL superstar Billy Slater takes on ambassadorial role for Racing Queensland

BILLY Slater’s memories drifted back to family camp­outs at country Queensland race meetings as he returned to the racing spotlight on Friday for the first time since becoming an NRL superstar.

NRL star Billy Slater has been named as the new Ambassador for Racing Queensland. Picture: Jack Tran

BILLY Slater’s memories drifted back to family camp­outs at far-flung country Queensland race meetings as he returned to the racing spotlight on Friday for the first time since becoming a rugby league superstar.

The injured Australia, Queensland and Melbourne Storm fullback has accepted a role to become an ambassador for the three codes of racing in Queensland.

He will visit race meetings around the state, starting with Saturday’s Tatts Tiara at Eagle Farm.

On Friday at Suncorp Stadium, a venue he has lit up so many times, Slater met a Dane Shadow filly he part-owns that will be trained by Rob Heathcote.

He quipped that he hopes the filly eating the famous Suncorp grass would provide the necessary champion qualities she needed on the racetrack.

Slater described his role with Racing Queensland as a natural fit and one he endeavoured to pursue passionately as he espoused the opportunities everyone could have in racing.

“Racing put me in good stead when I started playing NRL. The work ethic you need to be successful in this industry has helped me with footy,” Slater said.

“My first job was as a stablehand at the Innisfail racetrack when I was 12 years old and I earned $10 a week. The industry has given me a lot of opportunities and I would like to give a bit back to the people who helped me out.

“I was fortunate enough to work with Gai Waterhouse.

Billy Slater rode trackwork for Gai Waterhouse before he became a league star.

“It was something I was extremely passionate about.

“I loved riding trackwork. I enjoyed getting out of bed for that.

“Now I am involved in breeding, I have a share in this little (Dane Shadow) filly and there’s so many different ways you can be involved and obviously just going to the races is an enjoyable time, whether you do it by yourself, with friends or your family.”

Slater said racing was in his DNA, with his father having raced horses for as long as he could remember. His favourite meetings were the Innisfail Annuals and further afield to Einasleigh.

“It’s on Easter weekend, in the middle of nowhere about five hours west of Innisfail. They’re the country meets I really enjoy going to,” he said.

Billy Slater has retained his passion for racing while rising to the top in rugby league.

“I remember going to those places when I was a kid and we would camp.

“They would have the races on the Saturday and rodeo on the Sunday. They are great memories.”

Slater is looking forward to revisiting some of those memories in his ambassadorial role.

The champion fullback is three-and-a-half months into what he hopes will be an eight-month recovery from injury.

“It’s been a tough one. Hopefully all goes well and I will be back on the field next year,” he said. “It’s just slow and steady ...

“We’re taking it quite conservative this time around, making sure everything is fixed 100 per cent and then we will make a decision whether I will play again.’’

Billy Slater will be trackwisde at Eagle Farm on Saturday for the Tatt’s Tiara meeting. Picture: Jack Tran

Originally published as NRL superstar Billy Slater takes on ambassadorial role for Racing Queensland