Episode 241: Keith Dryden

Great to catch up with the man who won last year’s Kosciuszko with Handle The Truth and hopes to do it again with the same horse next month. Keith talks about his great day at Wagga last week when he dominated the programme. He talks about the thrill of winning the rich Kosciuszko last year and the training regime he’s following with Handle The Truth this time around. Keith talks about the bad habits the gelding displayed early in his career. The veteran trainer talks about the line breeding theory that brought Handle The Truth into the world, and the racing name suggested by breeder Louie Mihalyka. He looks back on his first job as a rouseabout in a Dubbo shearing shed and later involvement as a concrete truck contractor. Keith looks back on the valuable lessons he received from a veteran Canberra trainer. He reflects on the deeds of his very first winner, and the good horses that eventually came into his stables. Keith remembers the time he overspent his budget on a colt he selected with syndicator Louie Mihalyka whose Laurel Oak company was getting on its feet. He reviews the career of the colt known as Into The Night who went on to win ten times his purchase price. Keith recalls his brush with racing royalty when Lester Piggot won on one of his horses during a world farewell tour. Keith looks at the future prospects of some promising horses who’ll soon be back in work following a winter break.