Wisper A Secret has key to success

With horses, nothing can be taken for granted. That’s the mantra in which Taree dairy farmer Doug Johnston lives by, preferring to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground.

With 300 head of cattle that requires milking twice a day, every day and starting at 4am, it’s easy for Taree-based Doug Johnston to take his mind off his prized pacers.

Life on the farm is non-stop. There’s always cattle to feed and jobs to be done so, naturally, life can get hectic at times. But Johnston knows no different.

Throughout his life, Johnston has been surrounded by cows and horses. It’s a case of business and pleasure.

Johnston, 68, has been involved in harness racing for 50 years after being introduced as a youngster when his father served on the Taree Show Committee, which included harness racing at the showgrounds.

“It was a such a thrilling event, going to the trots under the ribbon of light, just so exciting. That was the social outing back in the day, having a night out at the trots,” Johnston said.

The involvement in ownership for Johnston has only intensified owing to his good friend and fellow dairy farmer John Polson, 65.

The pair have raced several handy types over many years. Names like Gotta Go Milking, Saucy Dreams, A Rainbow Delight, Pas De Cheval and the promising Udderly Sweet quickly spring to mind.

They have raced several talented pacers over the years with Polson owning the grand broodmare Washington Lass (triple Queensland Broodmare of the Year award winner) which has produced the likes of Albion Park track record holder Blacksadance (26 wins, $385,000), Big Wheels (23 wins, $362,000), Awaywego (11 wins, $163,000), Attachment (seven wins, $53,000) and the exciting Arrive (two wins, $12,000).

Johnston labels Mighty Gift (12 wins from 35 starts, $115,000) as one of his brightest talents, but is hoping the best is still to come.

Over the years their horses have been split between Bathurst horseman Steve Turnbull plus Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen, a decision that was driven by Polson according to Johnston.

“John really got me going with ownership and again, he led the way with the horses would go and what stables they’d race from. John has had integral part with my involvement in the sport,” Johnston said.

“Mighty Gift was a very good horse who sadly, was cut down in his prime. He was Group 1 placed and scored in the Group 3 Gold Chalice Final at Bathurst for the Turnbull family. He could’ve been something very good.

“I’m currently racing some very smart types and it’s hard not to be excited about the future. I’ve got Dele Row, Cassius Deck and obviously Wisper A Secret.

“They’re racing in really good form and have been for some time. Both Dele Row and Wisper A Secret a relatively young and have so much more in front of them so it’s hard not to be optimistic.”

Wisper A Secret, bred by Johnston, continues to improve and has made giant inroads following his successful three-year-old season, which resulted in a second placing in the Group 1 Queensland Derby behind The Lost Storm last year.

As a two-year-old, Wisper A Secret showed obvious talent and scored his maiden victory at Albion Park in a time of 1:55.1.

Born and bred in Bathurst, Johnston purchased the Panorama mare Monique Josephine in foal, the resultant foal by Rock N Roll Heaven was Cassius Deck (18 wins, $193,000).

“I put the mare in foal to Huntsville, an exciting son of Somebeachsomewhere, and that’s where Hunter (Wisper A Secret) originated. He’s New South Wales-bred so that’s why he’s never contested the QBRED features,” Johnston said.

“Pete and Chantal really enjoy working with the younger horses, so I decided to send this guy up to them and it worked out extremely well. They liked him from the start. Chantal has a very good bond with him.

“I leave all the programming and planning to them. I don’t like to interfere. They know the horses inside out so it’s best they make the decisions.”

Back in July, during the Constellations at Albion Park, Wisper A Secret provided Johnston with his biggest victory in the sport when successful in the Group 1 $355,000 Racing and Sports The Rising Sun.

Given an early invitation following some blistering form this year including back-to-back sub 1:51 mile victories at Albion Park, Wisper A Secret was rated as a genuine winning hope despite drawing a second line draw in the 2138m feature.

Trained to the minute and driven expertly, Wisper A Secret swung into the home straight with the Sydney-trained Don Hugo and the pair staged an epic battle over the concluding stages with Aroda just behind them.

When the line was reached, Wisper A Secret prevailed by a half-head margin and Johnston was in total shock.

“It was amazing, a dream come true because you never think you’ll be in these positions. I was lucky enough to be trackside. My daughter made sure I was there and it’s something I’ll never forget. As they passed the 400m, I just couldn’t believe we were a chance of winning, he was working into it perfectly, I roared so loudly,” Johnston said.

“He’s such a genuine racehorse, so tough with that never give up attitude. He can do it at both ends of a race and that was an unbelievable experience, I was so proud of the horse and the entire team that made it possible.

“The long drive home to Taree was certainly the quickest I’ve encountered, I just kept replaying the race repeatedly. I had Dele Row run a cracking race in the South East Derby. He got beaten a neck margin and was very unlucky while Pas De Cheval won at Menangle in a mares race also.

“It was dream weekend, no question, and I can’t thank Pete and Chantal enough. And it came as no surprise that the first person to reach out was John (Polson), he was so excited for me.”

Two dairy farmers from Taree, two great mates. And nothing is taken for granted.