Sprinter fast-tracking Roche’s training apprenticeship

By Pat McLeod

Rookie Queensland regional trainer Lucy Roche’s ‘apprenticeship’ is being fast-tracked courtesy of talented sprinter Different Drum.

Roche and Different Drum will partner again at the Bundaberg track in Race 5, a 4^th/5^th Grade event (460m) on Monday’s program.

“She is really flying at the moment,” the Gympie trainer said of her kennel star, which is owned by retired conditioner David Plummer.

“She ran a PB (26.07) last week in running second to Steve Bland’s Cambla Bliss over the 460m.

“David gave me Different Drum to train recently, which has been a little nerve-wracking.

“It is different to doing your own dogs, which are only fifth grade dogs.

“To get a good quality dog to train, I do feel the pressure a little more, but it is an honour to be offered a bitch like her to train so early in my career.

“I am very thankful for David’s help and guidance with that dog and the others as well.

“He is a very good mentor.”

Roche, 32, gained her trainer’s licence in March last year and since has made impressive strides in the sport.

She describes herself as a ‘hobby’ trainer, but devotes plenty of time to her kennel of 10 - four race dogs, two in pre-training and four puppies.

“I love greyhound racing and my partner Martin (Nolan) helps a lot around the kennels and sometimes is able to come to the races.

“It is a hobby, but it is my main focus at the moment.

“We also run a cattle property, which is Martin's main pursuit, and we both do that as well.

“We have leased about 200 acres near Gympie to run stud brangus cattle.

“So, between that and the dogs there isn't time for much else.”

Roche says she is enjoying the trainer’s role and the plan is to grow her involvement in the industry.

“I wouldn't do this if I didn't love it,” she says.   

“We have just got our breeder’s licence a couple of months ago.

“We would like to breed and race our own litter.

“That is in the pipeline for late this year, early next year, to breed a litter.

“I am really happy racing at Bundaberg and would love to be able to be more competitive at Albion.

“But I also know you have to crawl before you walk.

“I know that we are going in the right direction.”

Different Drum is certainly helping with her progression in the industry.

In the six starts since she joined Roche’s kennel the Bernardo x Nerve Settler chaser has recorded a win and two placings in six starts.

Overall, she has raced 29 times for eight wins and 10 placings for $30,875 in prizemoney.

Her wins include the Bundaberg Young Guns (460m) feature.

“I believe there is still improvement in her,” Roche says of Different Drum.

“She's only had a couple of runs back this prep and after a couple of more runs hopefully you will see an even improved PB.

“We will then look at stepping her back up to the 531 metres, after the Bundy Sprint heats (September 23) and final (September 30).

“Then hopefully, we will have her going towards the Bundaberg Oaks (heats October 7, final October 14), which is over 531 metres.

“She has been flying the lids the last couple of starts, but she does have a history of being a little tardy out.

“The 531 metres gives her a little bit more time to get into the race because she is a 31.5kg bitch, so not a small dog.

“The little bit more distance allows her to get up to speed and get into a good position.”

Roche also has Galaxies, which she owns, campaigning in Monday’s Mayor’s Cup (460m), Squish, in Race 3, a 5^th Grade (315m) and Hold My Bear in Race 7, a 5^th Grade Final (460m).