Sport
14 October, 2024
Paul Preusker eyes next champion after Steparty's return at Caulfield
Horsham trainer Paul Preusker reflects on 30 years, future stars.
After more than 30 years in the horse racing game, Horsham trainer Paul Preusker remains driven, with his sights set on grooming the next Surprise Baby.
"I've had a bit of luck along the way, you know," Preusker said.
"I'm just another trainer, but I've been lucky enough to have a few good horses on the way, and it's been a good journey."
The Horsham trainer started in 1993 with nine-year-old Navajo Brave
He admits he wasn't thinking of future champions like Surprise Baby, Steparty or Captain Envious.
"I wasn't thinking that far ahead," Preusker said.
"I was just in the moment and just making sure I'm doing every bit of it [correctly].
"I didn't expect it to keep going, but it soon took its path for me, and I got behind it anyway."
Following almost two months off, Preusker took Steparty to Caulfield for the Group Two Schillaci Stakes; the four-year-old finished eighth in a field of nine.
"I thought he went really good," he said.
"He's not a speed horse; 1100m is too short for him. It was a good opportunity to get him back in the field and teach him to settle, instead of doing it all up front."
With jockey Josh Allen all but cementing his place atop Steparty, the Horsham trainer hopes the galloper matures after its gelding.
Preusker said stablemate Captain Envious' recovery is progressing well after sustaining a suspensory injury at the Brisbane Cup in June.
"He's up on his feet and a happy horse. There's quite a way to go before we look at him again," he said.
"But by all reports, it's looking very positive. At the end of the day, he's on his feet, eating and happy. That's all that matters at the moment.
"If he makes it back to race, and that's a bonus. If he doesn't, that's that's okay too."
After winning the 2023 Ballarat and 2023 Murtoa Cup, Captain Envious was named the 2023/24 Country Horse of the Year at the Country Racing Victoria Awards in August.
While Steparty or Captain Envious get all the headlines, Preusker is bullish about the future of another five-year-old gelding from New Zealand.
"I have a couple to come that are pretty promising, but I'm chasing that next Surprise Baby. That's a tough job," he said.
"Poison Chalice has got a lot of promise. I took him out to Queensland to harden him up.
"He's a pretty serious horse, hopefully, we can make things happen with him."
Poison Chalice is scheduled to start on October 16 at Caulfield in the 1440m Schweppes Handicap.
Preusker will feature throughout the Horsham Cup on Sunday, October 20.