He has taken horses to Darwin since 2008, but long-time Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer is now looking to relocate to the Top End on a permanent basis.
Dyer has won a plethora of big races in July and August during the Darwin Cup Carnival, including three Darwin Cups with Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request (2017).
He will soon take a team to the Alice Springs Cup Carnival (March 17-April 7), but when he returns home he’ll head off to Darwin where he’ll more than likely farewell Victoria.
“I want to get my son James going as a trainer,” Dyer said.
“He’s keen as mustard and he’s showing good ability in picking horses and the way we train them.
“We’re altering a few things and we’re using his ideas.
“He’s worked for trainers Nick Ryan and Danny O’Brien at Flemington.
“I’ve had a good racing career and it’s time to make sure we can secure James’ future and get him going.”
James, who is 22, cared for a team at the start of the 2022 Darwin Carnival when Neil remained at home to monitor extensive renovations and improvements to his Kyneton farm and stables.
A pool, treadmill and 10 new stables were added to the 100-acre Edgecombe property, which also accommodates paddocks, a walking machine, and a 900m metre sand track.
“I arrived in Darwin at the end of the Carnival two years ago, James was in charge when Kaonic won the Toyota Cup,” Dyer said.
“At this stage, my immediate plan is to do a Darwin Carnival like we normally do.
“Whether or not we set up a satellite stable with James as my foreman or assistant trainer and I just stay down here and keep this going until we sell the farm is something we’ll consider.
“When that happens, I’ll move up and buy a house somewhere near the racecourse – until then I’ve got to stay here.
“Darwin has been good to us – we’ve got a lot of friends that are still there today.
“Apart from training horses up there, we’ll do a bit of fishing.
“The weather at that time of the year over Carnival is fantastic.
“You’re also close to the beach, restaurants and the city.”
Exciting times ahead, but first up there’s Alice Springs.
The Dyer’s hope to arrive in the Red Centre a couple of weeks before Cup Day (April 7) in their quest to win Alice Springs’ biggest race for the first time with Hettinger.
The five-year-old gelding was a first up winner at Alice’s Pioneer Park last June before heading to Darwin and winning two races from six starts – he also managed two seconds and two fourths.
Before heading back to Victoria, the son of I Am Invincible won the Katherine Cup (1600m) by 7.5 lengths.
“I’ve never had much of a go at the Alice Cup, Palmyra Boy finished third in 2012,” Dyer said.
“We’re going to take three or four horses to Alice before heading home as there’s now a longer break before the Darwin Carnival,” Dyer said.
“The horses can have a few weeks in the paddock getting over the trip and then we’ll still have enough time to do a little bit of work with them before they go to Darwin.
“We’re going to give Hettinger four or five runs before the Alice Cup.
“He had a 800m trial at Tatura the other day and he’ll have another 1000m trial at Bendigo.
“Then we’re going to probably start him off over 1300m.
“He might have a mile lead up to the Cup, but he’ll be well and truly fit enough for the job.
“Not 100 per cent sure at this stage, but he’ll probably have a run in Alice before the Cup.”
Dyer admitted that he will miss Kyneton.
Although Darwin will become home in the foreseeable future, he does plan to return to Kyneton to catch up with friends.
“I’ve been here 35 years, I love the farm and no matter how cold it is when you return home from Darwin you’ve still got a smile on your face coming home,” he said.
“I think it’s time to have a go, if we’re going to have a crack up there the time is now.
“Being up there with my son in a training operation together will be good if we can make it work, I’m confident we will.
“We’ve done a lot of stuff here at the farm and I’d really love to see someone come in and keep up the maintenance as it deserves to be a showpiece.”
Dyer, who sadly lost his brother Rod over the Christmas period, kicked off 2024 with a win at Hanging Rock on New Year’s Day with Missed Victory.
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