Father-and-son duo continue family passion
GIVEN the multi-generational interest from so many clans throughout Australia, harness racing is so often referred to as a 'family sport'.
Names such as Lang, Gath, McCarthy, McMullen, Pace and Rattray are just some examples of families with a huge percentage of relatives involved in the industry.
Then there are the grassroots families, which combined, pretty much cover every licence holder in the nation.
Similar to a 'Ma and Pa' Fish N Chip Shop operation, those hobbyists provide an essential backbone to the game purely out of passion.
One such pairing is father-and-son duo Rob and Nathan Rice, who are continuing a trots connection which began with Rob and his father, Clive, almost six decades ago.
"Our association with harness racing began many moons ago," Nathan explained. "Dad got into it with his father and it has just stuck around.
"My grandfather and dad would walk over to Newcastle to watch the races and that triggered Dad into the sport...eventually that filtered down to me."
The 'Rice Boys' reinvigorated their passion "a little more than a decade ago," by purchasing a filly named Mac Toddy, which won at her fourth start for the duo.
"I was coming off the back of a sporting career...I was refereeing soccer and was getting too old to keep going and needed another hobby," Nathan said. "I spoke to Dad and we decided to buy a horse.
"We ended up with Mac Toddy, which won seven races for us. She also ran nearly placings and had a fastest time of 1:55.9, which funnily enough, was in Newcastle.
"She was with Darren Reay at Medowie Lodge at the back end of her career, and after she was retired, it was the natural next step to breed from her.
"Dad and I have bred one or two foals from a couple of mares ever since and enjoy being part of that side of the industry."
Mac Toddy's first foal was a handsome colt by Inter Dominion winner, Tiger Tara, which sadly met an early demise.
"He broke in well and was getting good reports," Nathan said. "But he got colic and died which was so disappointing."
Mac Toddy's next offering is a filly by Stay Hungry, which is due to enter the Australian Pacing Gold Sales ring on February 16.
From a bloodline crammed with high quality fillies and mares, the yearling is listed as Lot 222.
Along with Group One winning filly Lady Toddy, the breed includes last season's star three-year-old, Water Lou.
Winner of her first seven starts at two, Water Lou was triumphant 13 times in 2024 for an overall record of 21 wins and two seconds from 28 outings for earnings of $422,979.
"Darren tells me she is a good, big thing which is light on her feet and a good learner," Nathan said. "She shows every sign of making a two-year-old.
"Darren has done a great job with her...he is extremely diligent with every aspect of his operation at Medowie.
"We're looking forward to seeing her in the sales' ring in a couple of weeks."
