Hanna part of the Toowoomba furniture

By Glenn Davis

Like his famous Toowoomba retail store, trainer Jim Hanna has been part of the furniture in the Garden City for decades.

The family-owned Hannas of Toowoomba department store has been in existence for three generations after Hanna’s late father Norman opened the business in 1956.

It has since gone on to become part of the fabric of regional Queensland.

Like most modern-day department stores, Hannas of Toowoomba changed with the times with the store joining the online shopping experience, something Jim Hanna resisted.

“Dad started the business and his six boys and four girls all worked in it at some stage,” Hanna said.

“I’m now in my 70’s and retired but I still go in there to work with a couple of my nephews.

“It’s a third-generation business but some in the family have passed on.

“Like most businesses we also are online, but I was never really happy about doing that.”

Just like his dedication to his retail store, Hanna has been part of Toowoomba’s racing fraternity for more than 40 years.

“I started training about 40 years ago but I only ever keep between five and seven in work,” he said.

Hanna heads to Gatton on Thursday hopeful his seven-year-old gelding Don’t Diss Around can win the Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1400 metres.

Like his store, family is a big part of Don’t Diss Around's ownership.

“I own him along with my wife Debbie and son Chris,” Hanna said.

“Chris is a stablehand and looks after him a lot and that’s his project.”

Don’t Diss Around has started 28 times for four wins and 12 placings and is coming off a last start second in a 1400 metre Benchmark race at Gatton on September 25.

“He’s been a frustrating horse,” Hanna said.

“There was no pace on last start, so he had to come around them.

“We bred him and if there’s any speed on in this race at Gatton, he’ll be hard to beat.”

Don’t Diss Around will be ridden by Brandon Lerena who partnered the son of Dissident in his recent Gatton placing.