Harry Schwenke loving the training game

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba hobby trainer Harry Schwenke drives trucks for a living but craves for the opportunity to go full-time.

The recently turned 21-year-old has seven horses in work and is striking at more than 23% with six wins and four placings from 26 starters this season.

It’s not a bad record for a fledgling trainer who only started out 15 months ago.

The Warwick-born Schwenke's stables are within walking distance of Toowoomba’s Clifford Park track and he would love to eventually become a full-time trainer.

“I’d love to become a full-time trainer whenever it’s possible,” Schwenke said.

“I love horses and I’ve got seven in work.”

Schwenke, who has a strong passion for rugby league, was raised at Texas before his family settled in Toowoomba in 2018.

“I was born in Warwick but raised in Texas,” Schwenke said.

Schwenke is employed driving a truck with supplies around Toowoomba.

“It suits me perfectly as it fits in well with training horses,” he said.

Schwenke receives a lot of help around the stable from his father Lee, who also was a trainer in the bush.

“As a kid I used to follow Rod Hilton around all the bush tracks and I’ve worked for Lindsay Hatch and Paul Wallace,” Schwenke said.

“They’ve all been great to work for, but Dad gives me a lot of help and advice.”

Schwenke hopes to improve on his current strike-rate when he heads to Kilcoy on Tuesday with two acceptors.

Dylan Turner is booked to ride Praise You in the Maiden Plate over 1500 metres while Cody Collis takes the ride on Cheeky’s Time in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 800 metres.

Praise You tailed off last in a field of eight at his first start for Schwenke in a 1300 metre maiden at the Gold Coast last month.

“He reared up at the start and missed the kick and just didn’t handle the heavy track that day,” Schwenke said.

“He’s improved and he’s a lot better in the coat so I’m expecting a much better run.”

Cheeky’s Time finished eighth to the Tony Gollan-trained Now Is The Hour in a 1200 metre Class 1 Plate at Eagle Farm in November last year.

“She’s on the small side and was at the end of her campaign last start,” Schwenke said.

"She races well fresh and was just beaten first-up last prep, so she’ll race well if she starts.

“She tries hard, but I won’t decide if she’s starting until the morning of the race.”