3 minute read

Jennifer Webb is one of the best feel-good stories in country racing returning to the industry she loves with her only two horses – and winning.

The long-time horse enthusiast wanted to give training one more crack and after more than a decade absence has returned with not one, not two, but three winners from her first four starters.

Those two horses are Flora and Tabulam which will race on the same day for the first time at Grafton on Tuesday. Flora has won twice from as many starts for her and Tabulam has raced twice for a win and a fourth.

Any trainer would be delighted with those statistics and Jennifer is no different, but she knows her winning run will have to come to an end.

"I'm glad I came back to training and did it one more time," she said. "I trained horses for many years up until 2009 and then went working on horse studs helping with the foals etc.

"I wanted to train again and my brother Mark was a big help helping set me up with the horses at the Tabulam track. They are the only racehorses at the track and Mark rides them work and also prepares the track for the once-a-year meeting."

Mark has a lengthy history in racing having worked for Albert Stableford, and ridden track work for trainers such as Gai Waterhouse and Bart and James Cummings. Tabulam is only a small place of some 450 residents and has a history with the original Australian Light Horse Brigade.

When Jennifer was looking for a name for Tabulam she named the galloper she helped raise after the village.

"We bought the mare in foal and Tabulam was the result and it's nice to see him get there and win a race at his second start," she said. "I race him with a friend, Phillip Mills, and Flora is owned by Di Johnson and was trained by Norm Rogers before I took over."

Flora's two wins for her trainer have been at Grafton, while she has a perfect record at the course after also winning her other start there when under the care of Rogers. Flora steps up in class in the Fidelity Capital Feed 'N' Win Class 3 (1006m) and despite her unbeaten record at the track and for her trainer, Jennifer is cautious.

"Its is a harder race for her and also for Tabulam and I know they can't keep winning," she said.

Leading jockey Ben Looker will have the ride on both horses and Jennifer is hopeful they will again perform at their best and deliver a result. Her winning run isn't something new as when she previously trained she also had a winning spree she can easily recall.

"I had five last start winners in the stable at one stage over a couple of weeks. Horses are horses and you train them the same as you did before," she said. "I love horses and I'm glad to see them doing well.

"I have had a bit of luck so far and I was fortunate to get Flora Bel when she was up and running. She has been well placed so far, but it will be harder on Tuesday."

Tabulam, who will contest the Jacaranda Festival in December Benchmark 58 (1181m), will start from barrier two against higher graded and more experienced opponents. The grey five-year-old is coming off a maiden victory at Ballina and is still learning, according to his trainer.

"He is still very new to racing and is up against horses who have won more races," she said.

No matter the results on Tuesday, you can't fault the record of Jennifer with her only two horses.

"I'm the trainer, but Mark is a big help and set me up to get going again. I'm glad I gave training another go before I retire for good," she said.