In today's instalment of 2021/2022 Rapid Reflections, we feature a quickfire round with Charlie Duckworth, Racing Manager/ Assistant Trainer at Chris Waller Racing.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2021?
Charlie Duckworth: El Bodegon winning a Group 1 in Paris for some fantastic clients of ours was really special, or possibly Selino winning the Sydney Cup; both of these two victories were long-term plans that both got pulled off in fantastic fashion.
Charlie Duckworth | Image courtesy of Chris Waller Racing
TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?
CD: Finally asking my girlfriend (Kathy O'Hara) to marry me just as our house was about to flood. Who said romance is dead…
TDN AusNZ: What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
CD: Hopefully seeing the back of COVID and being able to travel again. I have never been one to be homesick but when you can’t go and see your family it changes things.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
CD: Hugh Bowman –always walks with that air of confidence and self-belief and would be great to feel the rush of riding top-liners for top trainers.
Hugh Bowman
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
CD: Home Affairs – never lost the faith in him. He’s an aeroplane.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite binge-worthy television show?
CD: Never able to stay awake long enough to find out, but the first half of each episode of Clarkson’s Farm is fantastic.
TDN AusNZ: Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why.
CD: Last time I did one of these I chose Annabel Neasham and that proved to be correct so I feel a bit of pressure picking the next one. Claire Lever is a trainer doing the right things and is forward-thinking and not afraid of work. I think she will excel if she gets the right stock.
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think will take out 2022 first-season sire honours?
CD: Russian Revolution based on who has them in their stables, he should have plenty chances with 2-year-olds.
Russian Revolution | Standing at Newgate Farm
TDN AusNZ: What do you consider the greatest sporting moment this year? (not solely racing related)
CD: The whole of Cup week. It was just outstanding.
TDN AusNZ: What's your 2022 New Year's resolution?
CD: I’m going to attempt to be better on my phone instead of emails which will be hard as I hate talking on the phone.
