Noisy triumph

By Paul Pickering
EMERGING Pakenham trainer Matt Leek last Wednesday scored the biggest payday of his career when his recycled jumper Big Noise took out The Shu Hurdle (3250m) at Sale.
The six-year-old gelding led all the way in the Melbourne Racing Club event – transferred from Sandown – on his way to a five-length victory, handing 30-year-old Leek his first ‘city’ win.
Leek, who bought Big Noise for just $6000 two years ago, pocketed the $18,000 winners’ purse on behalf of a syndicate of close friends.
“He was just way too strong and won really impressively against some good up-and-coming horses,” Leek beamed. “He doesn’t have much ability, but he really tries hard and that’s what wins him his race. It’s his desire and the competitive spirit that he’s got.”
Big Noise’s stablemate Sarchochilus – another bargain buy – ran an impressive third over the 2210m flat trip in the seventh race to cap a banner day for Leek clan.
After learning the horse trade from his father John and grandfather Jack, Matt is now establishing himself as a successful trainer in his own right.
A keen eye for potential has allowed him to resurrect the careers of some honest thoroughbreds and introduce some mates to the racing caper.
“The most satisfying thing is that because the horses are cheap, I’ve been able to get people into racing who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford it,” he reflected.
Leek was just as chuffed to see Big Noise’s jockey Jason Evans salute last Wednesday, having fought his way back from life-threatening head and spinal injuries suffered in a race fall at Sandown in 2007.
It was Evans’ first win since returning to race riding in May.
“He’s a terrific rider and I was just glad that we could get a win for him, because he’s been working for me (riding trackwork) for around 12 months now,” Leek said. “I know what he goes through every day just to get out of bed, get moving and get up here to ride the horses and it has been a part of his rehabilitation, so it was pretty satisfying.”
Leek and Evans are now setting Big Noise for a run in the Adelaide Grand National on 8 August and the season-ending J.J. Houlahan Hurdle at Sandown on 30 August.
Meanwhile, Leek is planning a move to a new property in Garfield and is looking to expand his nine-horse stable.