Richardson backs rookie apprentice McColm

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba trainer Cameron H Richardson has put his faith in promising apprentice Archie McColm to continue consistent sprinter Diamantina Rose’s good form at Warwick on Thursday.

Richardson is the son of popular Toowoomba trainer Harry Richardson and is a relative newcomer to training after deciding to step away from service in the Australian Army about five years ago.

“I was a Captain in the Army for 10 years until I decided to leave to start training,” the 41-year-old Richardson said. 

“I’m still involved with the Army and do some reservist work.

“Before I joined the Army I wasn’t doing much except the odd job here and there, so I applied to join the Army, flew to Canberra and started at Duntroon.”

Richardson is confident Diamantina Rose will be ultra-competitive when she resumes in the Benchmark 55 Handicap over 800 metres.

The daughter of Worthy Cause has started 10 times for two wins and seven placings but hasn’t started since finishing third in an 870 metre Benchmark race at Toowoomba on February 7.

“She’s not a complicated horse to ride but she’s got a lot of weight with 61.5kg so Archie should have no problems riding her,” Richardson said.

“She has raced well her entire career and has never put in a bad run.

“Archie is just starting off his riding career and has only had a few rides, but he’s going well so far.”

Diamantina Rose is aiming to maintain her unblemished record at Warwick where she won at her only start there in an 800 metre Benchmark race in late January.

“I’ve never started her over 1000 metres yet as she’s been so effective around 800 metres,” Richardson said.

Richardson has made an important gear change with Diamantina Rose by removing bar plates from her front legs.

“She got a bad bruise one day, so I put them on for protection but she’s fine now and doesn’t need them anymore,” he said.

Richardson’s first winner was Zuma California, who won five of his 27 starts. 

In 2022, Zuma California finished seventh in The Gateway at Eagle Farm.

Richardson rates Pope Cody as the best horse he has trained in his short career.

“He only started five times for me and won three times including once in the city before he was sold for quite a bit of money to Hong Kong,” Richardson said.