CANCER survivor Anne McGrath loves fighting against the odds and winning.
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Today the hobby trainer saddles up home-bred jumper Mannertone in the $100,000 Brierly Steeplechase against a field of class horses from leading stables. It’s a David and Goliath battle.
It’s not the first time the odds have been against her.
The Orford mother of three was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in September 2012 and after extensive treatment across a year, including chemotherapy and operations, she retains a positive attitude.
Family and horses, in particular Mannertone, have kept her going.
“My health is pretty good,” she said.
“I have check-ups every three months. I found horses kept my feet on the ground and so did my family after I was diagnosed with cancer. I used to get out there and ride Mannertone through the bush, days after treatment.
“I suppose he’s been a sort of a family pet as he was bred at home. He was an honest performer on the flat but I always knew he was a handy jumper.
“He’s a tough bugger. Mannertone may not have the brilliance of some of the other runners in the Brierly but he’ll give 100 per cent. I don’t think he knows when he’s beaten. He’s a real grinder.”
McGrath, 53, is trying not to think about Thursday’s $250,000 Grand Annual Steeplechase but the famous race is on the agenda for Mannertone if he runs well today.
McGrath, who swept to prominence as a racehorse owner when Tears I Cry won the 2007 Emirates Stakes at the odds of 100-1, has six horses in work.
“I’ve had a bit of luck as a trainer,” she said.
“I won Woodford and Koroit Cups and a race at Flemington with Tears I Cry when I trained him.
“Mannertone was unlucky in some of his flat runs. He’s a lazy sort of horse but keeps on giving in his races. He takes a lot of riding in his races.
“I’ve been over the moon with his preparation leading into the Brierly. He was strong at the end of his maiden hurdle win at Bendigo and has schooled strongly over fences at Warrnambool. There’s not much more we can do now. He’s fit and ready to go.”
The popular racing identity, who has been a clerk of the course at Warrnambool for more than 35 years, rode with success as an amateur jumps jockey in the early 1980s.
“I suppose the highlight of my career as a jumps jockey was when I won a professional steeplechase at Casterton one day, beating home (five-time Grand Annual Steeplechase winning jockey) Butch Londregan and Peter Delaney,” McGrath said.
I never had many rides but I won three races riding against the men.
“It was a great thrill. My love for horses stems from my parents Leo and Maureen Dwyer. I was riding ponies from a very young age. All my siblings did the same thing.”
Her mother Maureen has her name etched in Grand Annual Steeplechase history as the trainer of Follow The Band, which ran second to Thackeray in the 1979 race, and Anne dreams of adding her name to the honour board.
“I really can’t think about the Grand Annual at this stage,” she said.
“I’m just focussed on the Brierly. My nerves are really bad. I hate to think how I’ll be if Mannertone runs in the Annual. It’s always been a dream to win the Annual every since mum ran second with Follow The Band.
“The Annual is the race everyone wants to win. It’s like our Melbourne Cup down here. There were times over the past few years when I questioned whether I would still be here but I’ve just had to try and stay positive and now to think I may have a runner in the Annual is totally amazing.”
The training tradition looks like continuing for the family, as McGrath’s daughter Rachael is in the process of applying for a joint trainer’s licence with her mother.