CRAIG Clegg is branching out.
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The Kootingal harness racing trainer is taking out a thoroughbred trainer's licence and has just one "small piece of paper" to complete, to satisfy Racing NSW rules and be able to race horses on all tracks.
It's not new for Craig though.
He's trained thoroughbreds before, albeit 20 years ago, but has decided to re-launch, after Racing NSW lifted prizemoney on all country TAB races to $20,000, four times the amount Tamworth Harness Racing Club races for, at their TAB pacing meetings.
He's also broken in hundreds of thoroughbreds for various trainers over the years, as well as putting his son, Richard (now a goalkicking star of the North Tamworth Bears first grade rugby league side) through boarding school at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School via the proceeds from those breakers.
"I held a licence (thoroughbreds) for 15 years too from 1980," Clegg told The Leader.
"Had a few winners and placings, but I did a lot of pre-training for Ricky Hopf with horses like Vain Fury and Royal Dip.
"Broke in a lot for him too.
"Then when Terry Wicks retired from riding and started training I did a lot of horses for him too. But with the increase in prizemoney to $20,000 per race in the country I thought I'd give it another crack.
"I haven't got many to start with and don't expect anything great, but I have one bloke who is backing me so we'll give it a go for a little while and see what happens.
"I'll still continue to have a few pacers race as well. I've only got two in at the moment, so that's become more of a hobby.
"All I have to do is finish off a TAFE course and that should do it for the licence. I've done all the interviews and Mr Cullen (HNWRA chief steward Shane Cullen) has been a great help. He's approved me. Tamworth Jockey Club have also given me permission to use their track for fast work as well.
"I'll have a few young ones at first and then start working them at Tamworth on a more regular basis, after they get up and running."
While he's trained before, he also has a family tradition dating back a century of ancestors who trained and raced thoroughbreds.
At age 57 he has a simple motto: "A change is as good as a holiday".
