Belynda embraces training challenge

By Glenn Davis

It’s no surprise Townsville’s Belynda Kliese was destined to be a trainer.

Married to Townsville jockey Graham Kliese, Belynda is the granddaughter of the late North Queensland trainer Jim Doherty.

Doherty was regarded as a master trainer of two-year-olds in the 1980s and 1990s, before the veteran mentor died in 2012.

With such rich bloodlines flowing through her veins, Kliese took out her trainer’s licence in October of last year and saddled her first winner when Northernontap won a Benchmark race at Townsville’s Cluden Park in March.

Kliese grew up around her grandfather's stables, but hasn’t found the training caper easy with just four wins in her career so far.

But, the 45-year-old is enjoying the challenge.

“I’m really enjoying it, but it’s different to being the wife of a jockey,” Kliese said.

“It’s an up and down game and a lot of mixed feelings, but it comes with the territory.”

Kliese has seven horses in work and is assisted around the stable by husband Graham, who has just returned from injury.

“Graham is back riding work for me again after he had a fall back in February,” she said.

“I’ve had a few wins and quite a few placings so far, but I love training and it’s great to have Graham back riding trackwork.

“I’m very thankful for the help I got from Jeffrey Felix and Isabella Teh, who helped me out a lot while Graham was out injured.”

Kliese is hoping her first winner, Northernontap, can give her an overdue win at the two-day Ewan meeting on Friday and Saturday.

Northernontap is coming off a last start third to the Tracy Simmons-trained Dalt Jaz in a 1000 metre Benchmark race at Townsville on August 18.

“All his runs have been good and he gives 100 per cent every time,” Kliese said.

“I like to keep him as fresh as possible and he’s back at Ewan after a little break.”

Kliese has nominated Northernontap for the Country Stampede qualifier over 1000 metres on Friday and the Class 5 Handicap over the same trip on Saturday.

“I probably favour going to the Class 5, but I’ll wait and see what the fields look like,” she said.

Kliese also nominated Remember Roy for Friday’s Country Stampede qualifier and the Benchmark 50 Handicap, but is leaning to running in Saturday’s Benchmark 65 Handicap.

Remember Roy was bred by prominent North Queensland owner Sue Hammer and is keen to make the trip to Brisbane for the Country Stampede Final, if he measures up.

“Sue has two horses in work with me and is keen to run in the Stampede,” Kliese said.

“But, it’s a huge step up in class for him.

“Sue is great for racing and has a lot of horses with other trainers up here and in Toowoomba.”

Remember Roy was beaten just over one length last start when fifth to the Terry McGovern-trained Boom Bunny in a 1000 metre Benchmark 55 race at Townsville on August 30.