Bellamy eyes next level from new complex

By Jordan Gerrans

Horseman Jay Bellamy believes basing his team out of a new private training complex at Beaudesert could be the key to taking his training career to the next level. 

The former harness man has made a consistent impact at the provincial level since transferring to the gallopers six years ago.

He has landed a blow or two in town over that time, but he hasn’t become a regular fixture in city racing. 

The 42-year-old thinks his new training facility might just be the answer when it comes to being more competitive against the big barns across South East Queensland. 

“The place is pretty much done now, it's just a matter of getting winners,” the smiling trainer said.

“I'm super proud of it. This business, I love the thoroughbreds so much, but it is one of the hardest industries to break into in the world.

“And, I'm not complaining about that, that's how it is. But, it just makes it extra hard to break into this industry.

“And, you have to put your head down, your ass up and work hard and believe in yourself. You can make it.”

While city winners are the aim for Bellamy and his crew of owners, the former harness trainer and driver also has family in mind with the move.

Bellamy previously trained out of the Gold Coast before shifting inland.

The trainer and his partner, Corinne, have recently welcomed daughter Ivy into the world.

Corinne is a key component of the stable’s operations, while young Ivy loves the bush lifestyle on the outskirts of Beaudesert.

“That was one of the reasons we come out, because of Ivy, as well,” he said.

"Growing up as a child on a farm is really good. Corinne's a big part of it, obviously.

“She does a lot, she's in the stables, she does bookwork, she does everything, everything that we need.

“She's behind the scenes doing it. So, without her, definitely we wouldn't have been able to do what I've done. Ivy loves it, she's always out here playing.

“She always wants to come outside and run around. It's done her the world of good coming out here. It's great.”

Bellamy’s new training complex is based at Nindooinbah, which is just down the road from the centre of Beaudesert, and is owned by New South Wales-based builder Reg Flannery.

Flannery had the idea in his mind to develop the property before Bellamy agreed to move out, but the trainer is glad he made the decision.

The backing of Flannery has led to interest from fellow owner Mike Crooks, who famously races his gallopers under the Mishani banner.

“I've got a lot more backing behind me with Reg now,” Bellamy said.

“Mike has shown interest in our property, as well. He's come and had a few looks at it and he's fallen in love with it.

“He's given me great opportunity with some really nice young horses this year.

“We've even already got some opportunities from horses that have not suited the Gold Coast and those kind of stables to come out here for the paddocks and the quietness of the place.

“Those results have been great, as well. I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years and moving out here has definitely helped me move forward in the industry.

“I've known Reg for probably five or six years now, so I knew how good a bloke he was and everything like that.

“Reg's plan, that he approached me with, was really good, really professional and how he was going to plan it all out, I couldn't wait to get involved.”

As well as the new private centre, Bellamy and his horses have access to the grass track at Beaudesert when they see fit.

With a big crop of yearlings in work, they often head to Beaudesert for their education, whereas the older brigade of the barn do their work at home.

The new complex boasts a walker, a sand roll, a swimming pool, a treadmill and 12-day yards.

It has room for around 30 horses.

Bellamy has noticed a calm nature in his team in the months he has been based out of Nindooinbah.

“As soon as we come out here, the horses just got a beautiful shine on them, they were more relaxed,” he said.

“They just do better out here. They start eating better, like I said, they're more relaxed.

“I think that's the best benefit for working out here on a private property, they're just a lot more relaxed.

“We've had a couple of horses come to us already that were very racy fillies that they couldn't get right in town.

“They've come out here and thrived and done well. We've only been here six months and that's happened twice already, so the results speak for themselves.

“They're out and on a farm, they're just a lot more relaxed.

“They get to go out in the paddock during the day and they seem to get longer in their prep.

“As for recovery, they recover better because they're more relaxed. We've got every facility here so we can use it when we need it.

“They're not wanting for anything out here so just overall they're more relaxed and they do better and get more out of their work.”

The Bellamy stable has Hulkamania nominated for the Gold Coast Turf Club on Saturday in the Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1200 metres.

Looking ahead, Bellamy has high hopes for horses such as Vintage Vibes, who he thinks can become a regular city horse, while also noting he believes Addriel could aim up to black-type company down the line.

Duomo, who is already a metropolitan winner, is also a horse on the rise, according to the trainer.

The stable also has Scoundrel nominated for an event at Lismore Turf Club on Monday.