ROBERT GILLIE has only been involved in harness racing for a few years but he has taken to the art of training like a duck to water.
In Hobart last Sunday night Gillie, who hails from Burnie on the North-West Coast, prepared Willbe Doc to score an impressive win in the Big Park Stud handicap over 2090 metres
The win ended a string of placings from the five-year-old gelding that has been a good money spinner for the trainer-owner.
Willbe Doc was bred by Gillie who only became involved in harness racing through a personal friendship with Craig Hayes who also took to training and driving late in life.
Gillie, 69, has only been training for two years and only became involved as an owner in 2009.
Last Sunday former Tasmanian Alex Ashwood, who now resides in Victoria, partnered Will be Doc to an effortless win in the standing start event, leading all the way to score by over a metre from Our Last Chance with Aim Aloof over six metres away third.
Gillie has no special plans for Willbe Doc other than to look for suitable races in the coming weeks.
Willbe Doc has had 32 starts for six wins and 17 minor placings for closing in on $50,000 in stakes.
Listen to what Rob Gillie had to say about Willbe Doc’s win.