Rewald hopeful of more winners at Barcaldine

By Glenn Davis

It was an easy decision for veteran jockey David Rewald to end a near 50-year career in the saddle and he’s now content to concentrate on his training duties.

A fractured ankle suffered in a fall at Betoota in August last year was the catalyst for his decision to quit riding but he’s still heavily involved training a team of 14 at Blackall in Central Queensland.

The 63-year-old Rewald had his first race ride as an amateur jockey when was 15 and has since won more than 1200 races in a career spanning nearly half a decade.

“I’m getting a bit old and heavy to ride nowadays but it was an easy decision to quit riding after I fractured my ankle at Betoota last year,” Rewald said.

“It took ages to heal and I just lost the motivation to lose weight."

As a jockey, Rewald has won numerous country Cups in Central and South West Queensland.

"I've won a Birdsville Cup, a Betoota Cup, Thangool, Yeppoon Cups and the Longreach Cup," Rewald said.

Rewald, who also dual-licensed as a trainer and jockey, has eight of his stable engaged at Barcaldine on Tuesday including Smooth Move and Heyington Station, who clash in the Open Handicap over 1300 metres.

Smooth Move disappointed when the gelding weakened to beat one home behind the Clinton Austin-trained Burden in last month’s Longreach Cup over 1600 metres and will be ridden by apprentice McKenzie Apel. 

“He was racing up with them most of the way but he had to give the winner four kilos and the others about six kilos,” Rewald said.

“It was also his first time over 1600 metres and he should go a lot better over this trip.

“Since he started a carrying a bit of weight his form has been ordinary but he’ll only carry 59 kilograms with the claim on Tuesday.”

Rewald believes Heyington Station will also be competitive following his last start fifth in an 1100 metre Open Handicap on Longreach Cup day.

“He’s going well but I’m still trying to work him out,” Rewald said.

“He’s a very hot horse and has been placed up to 1600 metres.

“I’ve had him for five starts now and he won at Tambo but his last couple of runs have been ordinary.

“He’s still acclimatising after being trained in Victoria and I think he’s going to be a good horse around this region next year.”