Spring racing: Mt Macdeon trainer Liam Howley finds his niche in country

Spring racing means the country cups circuit is in full swing and trainers like Liam Howley are looking to cash in.

David Johnston

2 min read

October 22, 2024 - 5:00AM

The Weekly Times

Young people have ‘embraced’ the Everest: ATC Director

The belief a country base is the best spot to train winners is being tested by the rising cost of doing business.

Cashing in on spring racing riches is a priority for trainers like Mt Macedon’s Liam Howley, who opts to train in the bush rather than the big smoke.

“I feel as though I’ve got the best of both worlds,” he said.

“Just the ability to get horses outside into paddocks everyday can’t be underestimated.”

But Howley and other country trainers are constantly watching their costs, with WorkCover going “through the roof” and feed and transport bills “only going one way”.

Racing Victoria is making attempts to bridge the country prizemoney divide with NSW.

But more can be done given the eye-watering amounts of cash on offer for country trainers north of the border for races like The Kosciuszko.

“With the cost of training and everything involved it needs to come up,” Howley said.

“It’s not equitable the cost of training versus prizemoney at the moment.

“If it keeps going the way it is, it is going to become really hard in the bush.”

Trainer Liam Howley at Macedon Lodge where he used to be Lloyd Williams private trainer. Picture: Jason Edwards

After being seven-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams’ private trainer, Howley has stepped out on his own in the last three years with 35 boxes at the Mt Macedon property formerly owned by Williams and another 35 boxes at Kyneton racecourse.

“I’m as hungry as the next bloke to win a Cox Plate,” he said.

“But the only thing in this game that sells is results.

“I’ve worked out if you’ve got a good crew of staff, who stick long term and do the little things well, the results will show.”

Howley had a runner in last year’s Melbourne Cup in Virtuous Circle, but it’s stablemate Station One who has become his “banner horse”.

Liam Howley and jockey Jack Hill after winning the Murtoa Cup with Station One this month. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Station One hit form 12 months ago with wins in the Dunkeld and Traralgon Cups and has already won the Murtoa Cup this spring and was beaten in the final stride in last Sunday’s Horsham Cup.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m going to the service station down the road or the milk bar in Shepparton, they want to talk about Station One,” Howley said.

“He’s one that just benefits from the dual locations we have in the country.

“He does his fast work up at Kyneton and then he’s straight back to the farm.”