THREE years ago former top NSW country jockey Stephen Lockhart moved to Tasmania with the hope of establishing himself as a quality trainer.
With two full seasons under his belt he has achieved the goal but he is hopeful of making an even greater impact in the coming season.
Lockhart accepted the job as private trainer for prominent thoroughbred owner Dudley Clark who had a vision a few years ago to establish a state of the art training complex on the family property at Brighton.
Together they have slowly but surely realised Clark’s dream, although the complex remains a work in progress.
“When I came here to work for Dudley it was still a pipedream but when we opened the grass track two weeks ago it signaled the end of a three-year project as far as the training tracks are concerned,” Lockhart said.
The 1550-metre all-weather dirt track has been operation for some time while the 1600-metre fully irrigated grass track was only opened for use last Monday week.
It is a stunning training complex and something Lockhart believes will be one of the best in the state when the under cover sand roll and walking machine are installed in the big barn that has just been roofed.
Lockhart believes the day yards are proving to be a real asset in that the occupants appreciate their freedom to roam through the day and slide into the sheltered box at night.
Listen to what trainer Stephen Lockhart had to say about the training complex and his stable tenants – click here .