Racing never sleeps for Hassett

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Joanna Hassett has never had a sleep in since she began training 17 years ago, but she’s not the kind to whinge.

Hassett was born into the racing caper and jumped at the opportunity when she left school to work for some of the greats of North Queensland racing.

“I started off with Jim Dixon then Colin Cox, Errol Sewell and Steven O’Dea before he left to go to train in Brisbane,” Hassett said.

“You could say racing has always been in my blood as my father and grandfather were trainers and my parents were involved in racing, so it was a natural progression for me.

“Since I got involved with racing, I haven’t had a proper sleep in since I left school.”

Hassett combines training a team of four with her full-time occupation working for the Townsville Yacht Club.

“I’ve been working at the yacht club for 18 years, just about the same time as when I started off training,” she said.

Hassett has many fond memories including her biggest win with Bakuhatsu in the Lightning Handicap at Cluden Park in 2022.

“Bakuhatsu is my biggest winner so far, but I’ve got a lot of great memories winning on other tracks,” Hassett said.

“I train for the enjoyment and love going to country race meetings.

“I’ve won the Home Hill Cup twice and old Oscar The Great won the Lyndhurst Shield at Oak Park which my family has a lot to do with.”

Hassett will head to her home track on Sunday with three starters including Betterlucknexttime and Nottington Prince in the  QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap.

Betterlucknexttime was previously trained by Liam Birchley on the Sunshine Coast and won on debut for Hassett at Cairns on May 15 when he beat home stablemate Nottington Prince who finished fourth.

“It was a Heavy 9 that day and I was going to scratch Betterlucknexttime, but luckily he handled the wet well,” she said.

“He’s a 68 rater and a good chance of heading to the winter carnival here.

“I may look at the Cleveland Bay Handicap the way he’s profiling.”

Hassett also will saddle First Man in the Class 3 Handicap.

First Man, who also was an acceptor for the Open Handicap, is coming off a last start win in an 1830 metre Benchmark race at Home Hill on May 16.

“I’m really excited about the chances of all my three runners,” Hassett said.