3 minute read
Fast horses and stable jockeys have come and gone over the years but two pillars of a leading North Queensland racing operation have remained over more than three decades.
The name's Tom Hedley and Roy Chillemi are synonymous with racing in the north of the state.
And, leading owner Hedley has paid tribute to his long-time trainer and close mate Chillemi following Missile Thunder's slashing Townsville 2YO Classic victory on Saturday afternoon.
The Hedley and Chillemi combination have been a formidable one in the north of the Sunshine State for decades, winning an array of premierships, Cup and feature races at numerous tracks.
And, over the years, others around the regular premiership winning operation have come and gone – but what has lasted over time is the relationship and tight bond between Chillemi and Hedley.
Hedley has branched out in recent years, sending his horses to a number of NQ trainers – mostly to Cairns' Stephen Massingham – as Chillemi – who is in his 70's these days - has wound back his numbers in his stable.
But, the quality youngsters still first go through the stables of Chillemi at Tolga and that is exactly where this unbeaten Smart Missile gelding landed.
Hedley is a man who rarely lets his emotions get the best of him but post-race on Saturday at Cluden Park, he revealed just how much his friendship with Chillemi has meant to him over the time.
The pair also prepared Stradbroke Handicap winning and now retired gelding Tyzone to a famous 2YO Classic victory earlier in his career before he progressed through the grades.
"It is a wonderful feeling to have this relationship between me and Roy for all these years," Hedley said.
"We have never had a word out of place and he has trained some beautiful horses for me.
"We have had some great times – Tyzone and Grey Missile – and all them horses.
"Roy, I love ya brother.
"It is such a beautiful journey I have had.
'I feel quite emotional."
The master trainer from the Atherton Tablelands – who has won just shy of 20 premierships at Cluden Park, was taken aback by how emotional his mate Hedley was on Saturday.
"We have been together for years," Chillemi said.
The stable has now won the Classic – the feature race for juveniles in North Queensland every year – on five occasions, with Hotelier, Tyzone, Tennessee Boy, Palencia and now with Missile Thunder.
The bay gelding has done it with an unblemished record – unbeaten in his six trips to the races
"We chase it every year, it is just a magnificent race," Hedley said.
"We do this ever year, we spend a lot of money buying two-year-old's and babies to try and win the beautiful race for two-year-old's up here."