WYONG TRAINERS TRAVEL FOR SUCCESS

DON'T TELL JACK WITH OWNER/STRAPPER & SARAH BELL

HAVE horse, will travel!

Wyong trainers John Cooper and Shaun Harvey went in opposite directions yesterday to support country race meetings – and each got a desired result.

They both had specific reasons for their trips; Cooper to the Riverina region of south-western NSW for the once-a-year Cup meeting on a dirt track, and Harvey to the mid north coast hinterland at Bowraville.

It was no coincidence either that both attended the same respective race meetings 12 months ago, and on this occasion clinched a winner at each track for the first time.

Cooper won the Benchmark 45 Handicap (1400m) at Hay with Just One Look (Jason Lyon) at $3.80, and Harvey took the Class 1 Handicap (1370m) at Bowraville with $2.50 favorite Don’t Tell Jack, ridden by apprentice Leanne Boyd.

Cooper left on Friday with two horses for his second trip back to Hay for the annual fixture, after finishing fourth with Just One Look in the 1400m Cup last year.

This time the former Newcastle-trained gelding was successful in a supporting race, and stablemate Mega Fight ($3.60), also partnered by Lyon, was runner-up in the Cup.

JUST ONE LOOK WINNING AT HAY YESTERDAY

“I grew up in the district, so it was nice to go back there again for the annual meeting, and especially win a race,” Cooper said en route home this morning.

He purchased now seven-year-old Just One Look online for $2000 in August last year, and got an instant return, scoring with him at $16 at the Cootamundra Cup meeting two months later when having only his second start for his new trainer.

“I stopped off at Wagga to break up the trip on Friday, and then went on to Hay yesterday morning,” Cooper said.

“All up it’s around a 16-hour return trip.”

Cooper stopped off again at Wagga today to visit his mother before returning to the Central Coast.

Harvey’s Don’t Tell Jack was an even cheaper online purchase. He cost only $600 unraced through Inglis in March last year.

“I like Bowraville even though it’s a tricky track, and have been wanting to win a race there,” Harvey said today.

“I’ve ticked that box now.”

A five-year-old by Sebring Sun, Don’t Tell Jack has now won twice for Harvey, after scoring at Port Macquarie in March at $10.

Harvey adopted a “if you can’t beat them, join them” policy in booking Port Macquarie apprentice Boyd for yesterday’s mount.

“I took Don’t Tell Jack to Bowraville for this meeting 12 months ago, and he ran third in a Maiden Plate,” he said.

“Leanne rode the winner Headstart, so I thought I may as well get her to ride my horse this time.”

Harvey is attempting to build his Wyong team and, with only five horses at present, says he would be happy to hear from any owner looking for a trainer.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 23, 2025 - PICS SUPPLIED