Renee Gulberti, wife of part owner Rob Gulberti, with several young members of the team and Sarah Miller, wife of part owner Jason Miller, with Spring Line and reinsman Mitch Miller. Pic credit: Jodie Hallows Photography
Oakford horse dentist Shane Gaebler has returned to his harness racing roots after 17 years out of the sport, with immediate success.
And the Oakford trainer has brought some well known racing identities with him to share in the spoils.
Gaebler trained his first winner since 2005 when Spring Line was successful at Pinjarra on March 6.
The win followed an impressive WA debut second at Pinjarra on February 20.
He bought the horse from Shepparton, Victoria, seven months ago and sold some shares to his dentistry clients.
The owners include Adam Durrant, Jason Miller, Rob Gulberti and Rob Whitten – all respected gallops trainers.
Glen Fraser, a mate of Gaebler's from Bunbury, also has a share in the pacer.
“He is the most expensive horse I have ever bought. He cost $9000,” Gaebler said.
“Jason (Miller) asked if he could buy a share and it grew from there.
“The horse is a handy type. He might be lucky enough to win one in town.
“He struggles a bit in the heat so it will be interesting to see if he improves when it cools off a bit.”
Gaebler trained pacers for five years in the early 2000s and looked set for a solid career before he quit to take up horse dentistry.
He trained smart youngster Billabong Girl to 21 wins and $95,000 in stakes before the mare was sent to Victoria, where she won the Navy Cup at Moonee Valley, beating Sokyola.
He won 50 races, with a solid strike rate of 16 per cent.
Gaebler’s last win came with Another Notch Up at Wagin in July, 2005. He won nine races with the gelding.
“I quit university after six weeks and decided to follow my dream of working with horses – much too my parents’ concern,” Gaebler said.
“I went to Wagin and worked for Lyn Lucas, who had Power Eden at the time, and later Matthew Spurr. I learnt a lot off Matthew.
“I trained in Kalgoorlie for a while then prepared a team of horses for a syndicate of farmers in the Great Southern. I raced Billabong Girl and had several other handy types.
“Then I went to Melbourne for a couple of years to complete my dentistry training.
“I have been working in the industry since but did not really have the time to train.”
Gaebler is the horse dentist for many of the top racing stables, including Adam Durrant, Simon Miller and Dan Morton.
“Ninety five per cent of my work is in the racing industry,” he said.
“It is good to get back into harness but it will remain a hobby.”
Gaebler has three horses in work. Stable star Spring Line is likely to start at Pinjarra next Monday.
Rick Lee