GrahamOrville Clarke, Freelance Writer
For a man who could be described as a part-time trainer, Neive Graham has done remarkably well.
Last Wednesday he chalked up his seventh winner from only 13 starters this season when his improving three-year-old colt RUMOUR HAS IT won decisively over 1400 metres.
And the fairytale could continue on Saturday if the son of Outrigger/Speed Freak were to win the season's first classic, the Jamaica Licensed Bookmakers-sponsored 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres.
Optimistic
"Some people would say he lacks the class to beat horses like Mucho Gusto, Rum Talk and Naturally Royal, but I am very optimistic," said Graham, who juggles training with his day job as a process engineer at the Carib Cement Rockfort plant. He has been employed there for the past 21 years.
Despite not among the top contenders, Graham feels that RUMOUR HAS IT, his first classic runner, cannot be underestimated.
"At this stage of the season, some three-year-olds improve overnight and I am hoping this is the case with Rumour Has It, who has won twice from five starts. He's not only lightly-raced but has tremendous scope an soundly beaten by the likely Guineas favourite Mucho Gusto in the Prince Consort Stakes on March 17, was never comfortable in the muddy conditions that day.
"There was a lot to like about the manner in which he rebounded last Wednesday and the time of 1:26.3 behind a six-furlong split of 1:12.3 was pretty decent. You have to approach racing with a positive mind and even if Rumour Has It fails to deliver on Saturday, if he proves competitive is good enough for me."
RUMOUR HAS IT, to be ridden by Oneil Mullings, is one of only four horses conditioned by Graham at present, but his small string has served him well.
He also trains PURE JUSTICE who has won twice up to claiming $320,000 in recent weeks, as well as the three-year-old filly SARAFINA and ABOUNDING GRACE, who was recently claimed for $160,000.
In recent months he has won three races with the fleet-footed WINDJAMMER, but she was claimed for $240,000 last month.
According to Graham, his plan in the months ahead is to acquire 10 claiming horses.
"I'll do well with more horses at my disposal, and if Rumour has it turns out to be one of the better three-year-olds, it's going to be worries between me and them," he predicts.
The 50-year-old trainer attributes his tremendous strike rate this season (over 50 per cent) to good care and nutrition of his horses.
"Good nutrition is an expensive undertaking, but, for me, it's worth every cent as the results speak for themselves. I also work closely with the vets to ensure that my horses remain sound and ready to run on a regular basis.
"That's why I have shown a capacity not only to bring back my horses to win back-to-back races, but to achieve this on higher claiming tags. Even when the horses lose, they prove competitive," explains the easy-going trainer whose 21-year-old son, Andre, assists him with the horses.
Saddled winners
Graham, who also owns many of the horses he has trained in partnership with Felix 'Cookie' Heath, was encouraged to take up training by the late trainer, Valbert Marlowe.
He obtained a licence in 1991, eventually saddling his first winner, CRESCENT ROYAL, a year later.
To date he has saddled 26 winners, including SEEMELATER, DUE DILLIGENCE, DANCE DIXIE, SAMMY MY GIRL, MORGAN'S RENEGADE, RO-YAL RAGE, PERSIAN ISLES, BUSH FIRE and THRONE SYNDROME.
Not bad for a part-time trainer.
