Sad loss of successful trainer and all-round nice guy

STEVE Rando, a former highly-successful trainer and driver, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 78.

In recent years, Steve had been living in Hervey Bay, Queensland, but he was predominately-based in Sydney’s Hills district for much of his life, where he was actively involved in harness racing for more than 30 years.

Steve’s passion for harness racing was inherited from his father, Jim Rando, who raced horses during the 1950s and 1960s including the very handy pacer Mongoliey, and from an early age Steve was immersed in the sport.

At just eight years old, he would clean the gear for Mongoliey’s trips to Harold Park. As his interest grew, Steve spent time learning the trade working with Bert Alley at Castle Hill.

Alongside his passion for harness racing, Steve was a hardworking businessman, driving a taxi, a bus, owning takeaway shops, a market garden, a horse produce store and his farms in Gilgandra and Baradine.

Despite his many commitments, he enjoyed considerable success on the racetrack, winning numerous races with pacers such as Bold Caesar (30 wins), Charlie Buttons, Lena Adios, Pasqualina, Lauras Revenge, Town Topper and Bracko to name a few.

He also enjoyed a strong run of success with the talented trotter Second Bat, a Harold Park track record holder and winner of the 1989 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Consolation.

Steve’s love of harness racing was passed on to the next generations, with his sons Jim and Joe actively involved as trainers and drivers, as well as his grandchildren Amanda, Jessee and Lucas, all sharing in his passion for the sport.

He is survived by his wife Lena; children Jim, Joe and Stephanie; grandchildren Amanda, Jacob, Jessee, Benjamin, Lucas, Brayden and Corey; and his great-grandchild Zane.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.

He was a larger-than-life character who lit up every room and there weren’t too many places you could go without someone knowing him.

• AMANDA RANDO