Latest News

By Graeme White

Resilience can be defined in many ways and there has been no better example of this in recent times than that by the Stephens family.

Trainer Greg Stephens was left with a broken collarbone and fractured ribs almost two weeks ago when he was dislodged from a frightened horse.

The 50-year-old will be back at the track for the first time since the incident when he oversees his four horses which will race at Moruya on Friday.

Moruya-based trainer Greg Stephens (left) with Moruya Jockey Club's Executive Officer, Ken Brown. Image by Bradley Photographers

He will have comeback galloper Peyton Place ($12 on TAB) contesting the $50,000 SCB Distributors The Legend Of The South (1300m), last start winner Tillman ($7) as well as Dashing Power ($8.50) and Geostorm ($51) racing.

There have been many in the racing industry who have stepped up to help Greg and his wife Nyree in recent times.

Tillman’s win at Nowra on the day of the accident was perfectly scripted – it was as if it was meant to be.

Nyree was reluctant to start their horses, but Greg said it had to be done and with the help of fellow trainer Geoff Crothers they gained the perfect result on an emotional day.

“I actually watched the race on my mobile phone as I was being transported from Goulburn to Canberra hospital,” he said.

“It was the win we needed given what has happened. I was in hospital for a bit with five fractured ribs and a few breaks in my collarbone which now has a plate inserted and that has helped a lot.

“Nyree has really stepped up as did our oldest son Jonathan and Geoff and jockey Pierre Boudvillain have made sure the horses have had the work which I haven’t been able to do.”

If Peyton Place can provide an upset in the second edition of The Legend Of The South it would be some performance.

The veteran has an affinity for the Moruya course – four wins from eight starts – with his last win coming three starts ago in the Moruya Cup in January of 2022.

His career has been extremely restricted for the past two and a half years – only one start back this time in resulted in a last in the Bathurst Panorama.

“I hope he bounces back and shows his real ability. He had a tendon tear and has done little racing because of that,” he suggested.

“He was caught deep from a wide barrier at Bathurst and it will be different for him at Moruya.”

Peyton Place has won just over $300,000 and will start at decent odds with some in-form gallopers racing in career best form.

Tulla Park ($3.70 favourite) is airborne this campaign taking out the $50,000 TAB Federal at Canberra at his latest start. Jockey Pierre Boudvillain has a great relationship with the Tash Burleigh-trained galloper with three firsts and two placings from five rides.

Body Bob ($3.80) finds the perfect opportunity to win after a first-up fifth behind Tulla Park, while the well performed Clever Art ($6.50) will be racing for the first time for trainer Mitch Beer.

Local hope Fourcade ($8) steps up in grade after some of the best runs of her career.

Trainer Shaun Coady is also on the injured list after being kicked by a horse this week and spending time in hospital. A victory for him, like Stephens, would also be welcomed.

Stephens thinks his best hope is Tillman: “Tillman keeps stepping up and will be hard to beat. Dashing Power is knocking on the door for his first win and Geostorm races well for Robyn (Freeman) who won on him,” he said.

Freeman is also in the early stages of her return to race riding after spending many months sidelined after a shoulder operation Tillman was her first winning ride back.

The three of them – Stephens, Freeman and Peyton Place - are or have been sidelined for longer than expected. Given recent circumstances, a win for the trio would be fitting.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Moruya here