By Jordan Gerrans
Like thousands around Australia, Corey Massingham is along for The Harrovian’s ride of a lifetime.
We already know The Harrovian’s bandwagon is full – he was just voted into the top 10 for the 2021 All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley – just a few years after he was winning a Class 3 Plate in Cairns.
The Brisbane-based Corey did not get on the bandwagon until a few months after that victory, but he has not considered jumping off since.
He is the nephew of part-owner and former trainer of The Harrovian, Stephen Massingham.
Corey, like majority owner Tom Hedley, his uncles Stephen and Warren, and the rest of the “Big H” entourage never miss a race these days.
It does not matter if it is in Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane, or Melbourne, they are there in orange – usually winning.
Up until late last month, Big H captured the attention of the nation with his amazing 11-race winning sequence, leading to him being voted into the $5 million All-Star Mile at The Valley this Saturday.
“The bandwagon gets a little bit bigger every time he goes around,” Corey said.
“There was a crew there for that third Cup win and each one since then, it has gradually got bigger as he has moved down to Brisbane.
“The boys all come down from Cairns when he races in Brisbane and my Brisbane mates all follow him now and get to the races.
“If you have been around, I am sure everyone has heard us because we always carry on once he goes past the winning post.”
This Saturday in Melbourne, around 45 of The Harrovian’s fans connected to the Massingham and Hedley families will descend on Victoria, coming from Cairns, Brisbane, and Sydney.
That includes family members, stable staff and like Corey – people that are along for the ride.
“Tom has a big following up there in Cairns and it is a credit to them and all Queenslanders for voting him in, hopefully we can do them proud,” current co-trainer of The Harrovian Toby Edmonds said.
“We have had a number of horses for Tom over the last few years.
“We are fortunate Tom sends us horses like this, we need them to get to the level we want to get to and perform at.”
While the winning streak is always going to gain attention from punters and general racing fans, Corey, who works at a bank in Brisbane, thinks there are other factors to his popularity.
He believes the way Big H wins also draws people in – the seven-year-old gelding rarely does it easy, he just grinds away and toughs it out to get to the line.
And, he says Hedley’s famous orange colours also catch the eye of those watching the races.
“I have been chasing him around the countryside, I first flew up for the Amateurs Cup in Cairns and I do not think I have missed many wins since,” Corey said.
“It is great to have a horse like this in the family and now we can ride along his coattails.”
That famous winning sequence came to an end late last month at Group 3 level at Flemington, The Harrovian finishing two-and-a-half lengths behind the winner after being held up for clear running in the straight for some time.
Former trainer Stephen Massingham noted that he was not too worried following the run, declaring his former stable superstar was able to stride out well to the line once he was able to stretch out.
Group 1 winning trainer Edmonds agreed.
“He did not get much room in the straight,” Toby said.
“It was quite tight for much of the straight and once he got clear, he stretched out nicely and was strong to the line.
“While he did not figure in the finish, I am confident he would have finished closer if he got clear running.
“That was more about this week than that one and he has come on since then.”
Edmonds is confident The Harrovian will be able to handle the unique Moonee Valley track come Saturday afternoon.
“He worked great…. he got around The Valley really nicely,” Toby Edmonds said after his work on Tuesday morning.
“He stretched out beautifully in the straight, I was really happy with his work and he looks great.”