Graham Kliese to turn new page in career

By Jordan Gerrans

Leading Townsville jockey Graham Kliese says going into training would not have been an option without new stables being constructed at Cluden Park. 

The three-time Cleveland Bay Handicap-winning rider will turn a new page in his journey in the racing caper on Thursday when he starts his first horses as a dual licence holder. 

The 56-year-old hoop has been granted 10 boxes at Cluden Park’s new stabling complex which was officially opened earlier this week.

Located on the back straight of the racecourse, the $10 million project has delivered close to 100 on-course stables and was unveiled by Minister for Racing Tim Mander, Townsville Turf Club Chairman Geoff Weeks and Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole.

Hailing from Caboolture, Kliese has called North Queensland home for decades and says while he has long considered going into training, he did not believe it was a viable option until the new stabling project was nearing completion. 

“It wouldn’t have even been a consideration for me,” Kliese said.

“They have talked about stables like this for 30 years since I have been up here and I never thought they would actually be built – but they obviously have now.

“When these stables were getting built, my wife and I had a discussion about it and she has been in racing for a long time and we have gone from there.

“It is brand new; it is ideal, it is state-of-the-art and great for us.

“We have taken on more horses than we first anticipated and I am fortunate to have some nice horses to kick-off with.”

Kliese will be aided by his wife Belynda in his new training pursuit and the team have quickly filled up their allocated boxes and have eight in work.

Belynda’s grandfather was a long-time trainer and she worked around his stable for many years before linking up with Kliese.

They will take three to the races on Thursday for the first runners in Kliese’s name as a trainer.

According to Racing And Sports’ statistics, Kliese is nearing 1,300 winners as a jockey, with more than 600 of those coming at Cluden Park.

With three Cleveland Bay Handicaps on his riding resume, as well as an array of other feature events throughout the north, the experienced hoop says the finish line for his career in the saddle is nearing.

After now taking on the dual licence, he believes his time in the industry that has given him so much is likely to be extended.

“I do not see myself much riding more than another 12 to 18 months,” he said.

“If we didn’t do this (go into training) then that is it for us in racing, we are finished and out of the industry.

“That is where it ends.

“That is the reason we did it, to see if we would enjoy training and if we do it for two years and do not – then we can happily walk away.”

All three of Kliese’s runners on Thursday are previously prepared by trainer Ben Williams who has opted to step back from the game and has not had a runner in a race since last year.

The new Kliese stable envisioned they’d start with a few horses owned by their friends and family, but their barn quickly filled up with Williams’ former horses.

Kliese has done plenty of riding for Williams over the years and the duo have a close connection.

In a curious twist, Kliese will not ride any of the horses he trains in races on Thursday.

“It is going good so far,” he said.

“I do not ride all my own trackwork and I reward the riders that help me and that shows with who is riding my horses on Thursday.

“I haven’t taken on this training to get more race rides for myself; I have got the owners to consider there so I need to wear both hats and make the right decisions.

“I cannot put the training in front of the riding and vice versa.”

While Kliese has won numerous feature events in the north, the Townsville and Mackay Cups have so far alluded him. 

He laughs that he may now be able to finally win one of the big-time staying events as a trainer. 

On the riding front, Kliese has four engagements on Thursday, two for Troy Clive and one each for Taylor Connor and Bill Kenning.

As well as the Cluden stables, new feed rooms, wash down bays and horse walkers, as well as road access and sealed parking, have also been installed at the Townsville club recently. 

“We have built a premier destination training facility in recent years, now giving trainers access to some of the most modern infrastructure in the state,” Weeks said.

“Already we have received strong interest from trainers in South East Queensland who are looking to secure stables at Cluden Park in what can only be a positive for the industry’s growth in the region.”