IN racing these days the champions can earn their connections millions of dollars but for every one of them there are hundreds, maybe thousands of horses whose earnings don’t cover their costs – financially.
However for some the rewards are not recorded in monetary terms but more in the lifestyle that they present.
Harness trainer John Collins is a perfect example.
John bred, owners, trains and drives veteran pacer Khans Gold who finished second last in the first race at Melton on Tuesday, nothing unusual about that.
After all it was the 85th time the now 11yo has fronted the starter and he has won only one race (in September 2008) and he hasn’t run a place since May 2010.
It continues a somewhat under-whelming record for the breed as his mother had 29 starts for no wins and his half-brother Yeah Alright won only one of 43 race starts.
But that record doesn’t bother John who left the track on Tuesday feeling like a winner.
A veteran himself at 77yo, John has had his taste of success during more than 50 years in the sport and these days he is happy to just be out there competing.
Patting the defeated Khans Gold after Tuesday’s defeat, John said: “He keeps me going, gives me a reason to get up in the morning.
“If he had a good run he used to have a good sprint at the end but he isn’t as sharp as he used to be, I think he might be coming to the end.”
But the end for Khans Gold will not see the end of John Collins.
“I’ve got three others in work including his half sister.
“She has got good speed but lacks the heart.”
If the trainer can induce the filly to show as much heart as he does for the game hopefully she might improve his recent strike rate.
