VETERAN racehorse trainer Ken Hanson will be wearing his heart on his sleeve when he barracks in-form gelding Moonless home in tomorrow's Launceston Cup. The 79-year-old Longford man has been dealt some heavy blows throughout his 40-year career in the racing industry. But the stoic trainer yesterday said he was determined to hold his head up and keep marching forward until the elusive Launceston Cup sits on his mantle. ``We've certainly had our ups and downs,'' he said. ``But racing is built on dreams, and when your dreams come along, you've got to hang onto them.'' Mr Hanson came very close to walking away from horseracing altogether when his son Craig, a promising young jockey, was killed during a race at Mowbray in November 1983, leaving behind a wife and son. ``When Craig got killed . . . I took myself out of the game for a while,'' Mr Hanson said. But having distanced himself from the sport for a number of years, something inside him drew him back. In recent months Mr Hanson's wife Ellen has gone into battle with an aggressive form of cancer _ the same disease which took the life of their daughter Cheryl several years ago. Mrs Hanson's fight has taken its toll on Mr Hanson and his close-knit family, but they have rallied together for support. The family will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr Hanson tomorrow, willing their three-year-old horse past the post. ``We're all pretty close and we'll get over everything's that's going on I suppose,'' Mr Hanson said. ``But I'd really like to win this one for all the family.'' Tomorrow, Mr Hanson's grandson Brent _ Craig's son _ will lead Moonless out into the mounting yard in the lead-up to the main race. Moonless in the youngest horse in the Launceston Cup, and Mr Hanson the oldest trainer. The horse was initially considered too slow to race, and Mr Hanson had resolved to ``get rid'' of him. But Moonless has come on leaps and bounds since. He has strong form coming into the annual race meet. From 11 starts, Moonless has racked up one win and five places. Mr Hanson yesterday said he is quietly confident for a good result in tomorrow's cup. ``I reckon he'll run in the top four, I really do,'' he said. Moonless will be ridden by apprentice jockey Georgie Catania.
VETERAN racehorse trainer Ken Hanson will be wearing his heart on his sleeve when he barracks in-form gelding Moonless home in tomorrow's Launceston Cup.
The 79-year-old Longford man has been dealt some heavy blows throughout his 40-year career in the racing industry.
But the stoic trainer yesterday said he was determined to hold his head up and keep marching forward until the elusive Launceston Cup sits on his mantle.
``We've certainly had our ups and downs,'' he said.
``But racing is built on dreams, and when your dreams come along, you've got to hang onto them.''
Mr Hanson came very close to walking away from horseracing altogether when his son Craig, a promising young jockey, was killed during a race at Mowbray in November 1983, leaving behind a wife and son.
``When Craig got killed . . . I took myself out of the game for a while,'' Mr Hanson said.
But having distanced himself from the sport for a number of years, something inside him drew him back.
In recent months Mr Hanson's wife Ellen has gone into battle with an aggressive form of cancer _ the same disease which took the life of their daughter Cheryl several years ago.
Mrs Hanson's fight has taken its toll on Mr Hanson and his close-knit family, but they have rallied together for support.
The family will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr Hanson tomorrow, willing their three-year-old horse past the post.
``We're all pretty close and we'll get over everything's that's going on I suppose,'' Mr Hanson said.
``But I'd really like to win this one for all the family.''
Tomorrow, Mr Hanson's grandson Brent _ Craig's son _ will lead Moonless out into the mounting yard in the lead-up to the main race.
Moonless in the youngest horse in the Launceston Cup, and Mr Hanson the oldest trainer.
The horse was initially considered too slow to race, and Mr Hanson had resolved to ``get rid'' of him.
But Moonless has come on leaps and bounds since.
He has strong form coming into the annual race meet.
From 11 starts, Moonless has racked up one win and five places.
Mr Hanson yesterday said he is quietly confident for a good result in tomorrow's cup.
``I reckon he'll run in the top four, I really do,'' he said.
Moonless will be ridden by apprentice jockey Georgie Catania.
Trainer Ken Hanson and his Launceston Cup runner Moonless. Picture: PAUL SCAMBLER
