Winning Clifford Park days relived

FORMER leading Toowoomba trainer revisits scene of past successes.

Former Toowoomba trainer Shaun Dwyer and jockey Dwayne Dunn after their Moonee Valley success last season with Miss Leonidas.

RACING : Memories of past Toowoomba racing glories were revived last Saturday when former leading trainer Shaun Dwyer made a flying visit to his former home base.

Dwyer took time out from his training schedule at Bendigo to attend a Toowoomba family celebration with his wife Geri while also catching up with former Clifford Park colleagues including trainer Richie Stephenson and jockey Gary Geran.

Dwyer shifted to Toowoomba in 1998 after earlier leaving Mackay to work for Sydney trainers Tommy Smith, Gai Waterhouse and Bart Cummings.

He spent his early Toowoomba working days in the council blacksmith shop before kicking off his Clifford Park stable with three horses and the early backing of owner Rob Willis.

From there, Dwyer went on to build one of Queensland’s most successful stables.

In 2003 he was named Queensland Trainer of the Year and also received the Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Profile of Racing in Queensland.

His stable success in three states while based at Clifford Park was led by multiple Group One winner Regimental Gal.

Just some of his winning string also included Kazakh Belle, Crianca, Pacific Dancer, Prince Hal, Dutch Harry and Don’t Tell Clang.

After leaving Toowoomba in 2004 Dwyer trained at Deagon before moving his operation to Bendigo 11 years ago where he now prepares a successful team including last Saturday’s Caulfield Group Two winner Miss Leonadis.

Dwyer retains strong memories of Toowoomba where his son Shaun Junior works for trainer Kevin Kemp while another son, Les, is one of New Zealand’s leading farriers.

“We found it a bit of a struggle after shifting to Bendigo,” Dwyer said.

“It’s difficult to become a mainstream stable from where we are.

The facilities are good but it’s not a strong racing centre.

“But we have 35 nice horse and we have had our share of success.

“I’ve been lucky enough to always find a nice horse.

“We are happy.

“It was wonderful to get back to Clifford Park and catch up with people.

“We have great memories of Toowoomba.

“Geri and I can’t believe what a beautiful town is has become.

“Clifford Park has also developed into a beautiful course.

“With the new mounting yard, betting ring and public facilities you couldn’t want for anything better.”