3 minute read

The past two years have been filled with injuries and personal setbacks for trainer Mark Everett and his life partner Vanessas Medhurst, but all the anguish and pain that came with personal injuries to them both and financial hardship was forgotten for a moment when their gelding Swing King won a benchmark race in Launceston on Wednesday night.

In Brief

• Talented trainer Mark Everett gets the best from former Victorian.
• Trainer and life partner have endured a horrid two years.
• Light at end of tunnel for popular couple.

With Siggy Car aboard, Swing King ($41 into $7.50) burst from the gates to lead and after sneaking a cheap sectional the gelding kicked on the home turn and held on gamely to score a half-length win over Ziavera ($31) and Nev's Boy ($6).

Swing King landed in Mark Everett's care last year and after working through a couple of issues he presented in Hobart for his first start in the state two weeks ago for a game fourth after experiencing a tough run in the race.

"This is absolutely brilliant, and I can't adequately explain what it means to Vanessa and I," Everett said after the win.

"We've had a horrid two years or so and Vanessa landed in hospital with multiple fractures to her pelvis from a fall and I was working at the Salmon Farms and suffered a back injury that pretty much rendered me helpless for ages.

"When this horse came along, I spoke to a former long-time owner and friend, Greg Pitt, and he agreed to come into the horse with me and John Moore who arranged for the horse to come to Tassie.

"We set about working on getting him ready for a race and he was a bit unlucky not to win first-up in Hobart after they bet $101.

"Winning isn't everything in this game but it makes a huge difference when you are struggling."

The likeable couple struggled to hold back tears during post-race interviews, which pretty much painted their picture without words.

Everett is a quality horseman and he proved that with Swing King's dam Hold Onto Your Hat, a filly that0 had loads of potential but had issues.

"I know the family and when you've dealt with horses from the same lines you can usually pick up the different idiosyncrasies along the way and if they have ability, you can get a result."

Everett said Swing King could have his next start in a B62 over 1600m in Launceston on 5 February but it will depend on how the handicapper treats him after his win on Wednesday night.