By Duane Ranger
Promising horseman, Reece Maguire, killed two memorable birds with one stone at Redcliffe Paceway last Thursday.
The 27-year-old trained his first winner behind The Globe gelding, Tiges Apprentice. He also drove and co-owns the 7-year-old pacer with his sister, Martelle, who is also a driver in New South Wales.
“That was a great buzz. A real highlight. Right up there with driving some of Dad’s (Philip) winners back home (NSW). The horse is in Mum’s name (Kerry), so it was a real family win.
“By winning that race Tiges Apprentice also won a $10,000 QBRED bonus. That’s the whole reason we bought him. He’s still eligible for another bonus next year, but I think we might sell him soon. It was a great day,” Maguire said.
Maguire settled Tiges Apprentice back in the field from gate six and then sprung out of the one-one on the home turn to power away and beat the $1.50 favourite, Iam The Joker, by 2.2 metres. Tiges Apprentice paid $10.
He paced the 1,780m mobile in 2:13 even (mile rate 2:00.3). His sectionals were 29.2, 29.3, 30.6, and 32.6.
Tiges Apprentice has now won three of his 27 starts and placed in four others for $15,311 in stakes.
“We bought him after he won at my home town in Leeton in August. He was QBRED qualified and the plan worked,” Maguire said.
He then paid a tribute to his future father-in-law, Woongoolba, horseman, Mark Dux.
“I almost gave up on the horse after a few bad performances but Mark talked me into working harder, getting him right, and keep persevering with him to get that $10k bonus.
“Saturday is actually my last day working for Peter and Chantal McMullen. After two weeks back home for Christmas, where my sister and I hope to get a few drives, I’ll start working for Mark.
“He’s just had an operation, and I’ll help him out for a few months, and then take it from there. I’m looking forward to it,” said Maguire who is engaged to Dux’s daughter Madi.
Maguire was born in Leeton and educated at St Francis de Sales Regional College in that town.
“Dad had horses all my life. In fact, so did Mum’s side of the family. Dad and ‘Pop’ (Norm Diebert senior) have been the biggest influences in racing.
“In saying that I never really had a fulltime racing job until I started with the McMullens around last Christmas. When I left school, I worked in my school’s boarding hostel for a year before I got a job in horticulture and landscaping for the Leeton Shire Council.
“I always helped out with the horses but when I was younger cricket and AFL were my priorities. That was until I came up here late last year and worked for Darrell Graham for a couple of months before joining the McMullens.”
Maguire drove his first winner behind the Philip Maguire trained Hereux Homme at Wagga on May 30, 2014.
He’s driven about 135 winners all-up – the latest being behind the Karen Schulz trained Beau Chisolm at Albion Park on Tuesday.
“Trainers like Karen and Tayla Gillespie have been so supportive of me and I just want to thank their loyalty.
“In fact, I’m grateful to every owner and trainer that puts me on their horses. I love driving and you never stop learning in this game,” Maguire said.
“I’d just love more opportunities,” he added.