Schwenke hopes to avoid déjà vu

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba hobby trainer Harry Schwenke is hoping it won’t be a case of déjà vu if Calmer Karma qualifies for the Country Cups Challenge Final at Doomben.

Schwenke drives trucks for a living and has never saddled a starter in the Country Cups Challenge or Country Stampede Finals, which will be held on December 5.

“I’ve never had a runner at Doomben, let alone a starter in the Country Cups Challenge or Country Stampede Finals. I’ve only had one runner at Eagle Farm,” Schwenke said.

“The closest I came to making a Final was when Calmer Karma ran second in a Battle of the Bush qualifier at Nanango.

“That got him into the Battle of the Bush Final at Eagle Farm, but he was only an emergency and never got a start.”

Schwenke is loving the challenge of training while driving trucks in Toowoomba.

“It’s been good so far, but there’s plenty of highs and lows training horses,” the 21-year-old conditioner said.

“But, I’m enjoying it and it’s still my dream to go full-time one day.”

Schwenke is confident Calmer Karma can make the Country Cups Challenge Final when the eight-year-old tackles a qualifying heat over 1580 metres at Clifton on Saturday.

Calmer Karma has started only nine times for Schwenke, recording four wins and two placings, and has been a great money spinner for connections after being bought for a paltry $2,000 at an online Inglis sale.

“My uncle Josh spotted him and bought him from Stephanie Sixtus for $2,000,” Schwenke said.

“Josh is a part-owner in him and the horse has won nearly $44,000 for us, so he’s been a great buy.”

Calmer Karma stepped up to 1400 metres for the first time under Schwenke last start when he won a Benchmark race at Stanthorpe last Saturday.

“If he wins at Clifton, he’s straight into the Final and I’ve got a lot of confidence he’ll run well,” Schwenke said.

“He stepped up to 1400 metres for the first time for me at Stanthorpe and won well, but I think he’s lost his early sprint and is looking for further.

“His second in the Battle of the Bush qualifier came as a back-up after he won at Chinchilla in May.”

Schwenke’s biggest concern with Calmer Karma is the weather.

“We’ve had quite a bit of rain out this way and more rain is predicted,” he said.

“He’s been placed on a heavy track, but he doesn’t like it too heavy.

“He’s never run over a mile for me yet, but he did race over 1600 metres a couple of times when he was down south.”