HARDING A WINNER AGAIN IN HIS OWN RIGHT

JAMES Harding is probably better known as multi-premiership winning Ciaron Maher’s “beach trainer”.

But he knows how to train a winner in his own right.

And he says the experience he has gained working with the man who has built a racing juggernaut has been invaluable.

Newcastle trainer Harding was in the winner’s list himself at Port Macquarie yesterday with a mare he bought online for $10,000 earlier in the year.

Tesorino, a four-year-old daughter of 2018 Rosehill Guineas winner D’Artengo, broke through in the Maiden Handicap (1004m) as a $1.50 favorite.

Ridden by Mikayla Weir, Tesorino led throughout to comfortably defeat In Bocca Al Lupe ($3.70) and $81 bolter at her 14^th start – and third for her new trainer.

“Whilst my main job is looking after more than 30 of Ciaron’s horses, I have half a dozen in work myself,” Harding said today.

“Tesorino ran third at Port Macquarie in late May at her first start for me, and then ran fifth at Tamworth on June 15.

“She wasn’t beaten far but lacked a turn of foot.

“I put blinkers on her for yesterday’s race, and that did the trick.

“Hopefully we can win another race with her in the coming weeks.”

Harding, originally from Tamworth, trained and drove pacers and worked for Maher as Sydney foreman, and maintained that relationship when he returned to the Hunter.

“I trained a few thoroughbreds until Ciaron asked me to exclusively look after quite a number of his horses in this area by taking them to the beach, and bringing them to Broadmeadow to gallop or trial when necessary.

“As a result, I concentrated on his horses, but have just started training again in last few months, and Tesorino was my fifth runner.

“Working with horses such as Gringotts and Jimmysstar has been terrific, and I have learnt a lot.

“It is a privilege working with Ciaron, and I am certainly a better trainer for it.”

Tesorino was Harding’s second winner; having scored with Under The Pump, also at Port Macquarie, in January 2022 during his first stint.

. Harding was joined by fellow Newcastle trainers Steve Hodge and Dale Wagstaff as Port Macquarie winners.

Hodge made it two in a row with Lika Remi (Serg Lisnyy) at $7.50 in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1004m) after a Tuncurry 1305m victory on May 9, whilst Wagstaff also made it two in a row Farraige (Peter Graham) at $4.20 in the Benchmark 50 Handicap (1808m).

Farraige had won a Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) on a heavy track at Taree earlier in the week when also partnered by Graham.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JULY 6, 2026