By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
By his own admission Jason Teaz isn't one to get too nostalgic or sentimental.
But at Cambridge last night he trained his 100th winner, acknowledging it was a "pretty big achievement" and one worth celebrating.
He brought up the milestone with Always B Charlie, who led all the way in the Christmas At The Raceway Tickets On Sale Now Mobile Pace for driver Peter Ferguson, before clearing out to win by three lengths.
"There was a time when I thought I wouldn't even get to 20 let alone 100," Teaz told Track Chat's Jo Ferguson post race.
It was Teaz's 29th win on his own account to go with the 71 he had in partnership with Megan Teaz, with his first winner being Blake's Red Sox at Manawatu in November 2022.
As well as being a trainer, Teaz is also well known within the racing community for the years he spent commentating races on Trackside.
Brookies Jaffa has been his most successful horse by far, with 13 wins in 117 starts.
"He's been a great horse for us," says Teaz, "he put us on the map."
Brookies Jaffa is part-owned by Tony Armstrong, who's been a big supporter of the stable over the years, as has Bill Hickey, the breeder and owner of last night's winner Always B Charlie.
"I'd like to thank every owner who's had a horse with me," says Teaz, "and also the drivers that have helped me along the way."
Always B Charlie started out with Mike Berger and had three starts for him in 2022 before a series of setbacks.
"He had a bowed tendon, a blown suspensory and a broken pastern," says Teaz, "so they are three major injuries."
But Teaz decided to take the punt on the son of Always B Miki and he had his first start for him at Cambridge on September 24, finishing fifth.
"It was 820 days between the races."
And then last night that perseverance got its reward for both horse and trainer.
"It's a pretty big achievement, I'm not normally one to acknowledge those sorts of things but I certainly will on this occasion."
