Luke Fernie: Built for success

There is a certain symmetry between Luke Fernie and one of his three Winterbottom entrants.

Bravo Centurion is the new kid on the block, raw, exciting and a gelding with x-factor that has shot to prominence with a string of wins since the middle of the year.

Fernie’s trajectory in the training ranks has been just as impressive, emerging as one of the hottest young prospects in the state in a short space of time.

A fourth-generation trainer, Fernie left his hometown in Kalgoorlie for the bright lights of Perth racing four years ago with modest and low-key ambitions.

Fernie was content to dip his toes in the water and tinker around with a team of half-a-dozen horses at best, taking time to learn and develop his craft.

Learn he did and from humble beginnings, Fernie has built a training force in Perth, supported by quality horses and loyal clients in a winning stable.

Big race success has been met with 14 Listed winners and one at Group 3 level: Bravo Centurion in the Winterbottom tune up: the Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m).

An eyewitness to Fernie’s development both professionally and personally is longtime family ally, Kalgoorlie racing stalwart, Andrew Inglis.

A former Kalgoorlie Racing Club Chairman and prominent owner, Inglis and Fernie’s trainer-father Peter, have been close friends for two decades.

Inglis believes Fernie’s family background and Kalgoorlie upbringing has been a pivotal guidepost to his success on and off the race track.

He says with his tall frame and laconic personality, Fernie may seem a gentle giant, but scratch beneath the surface and there is an individual with a fierce determination and will to succeed.

“I think it’s awesome to see a young fella having a go,” Inglis said to Racing WA.

“He’s got a great profile to do it all with his character, genuineness and upbringing.

“He knows what’s right and what’s wrong and he calls it as he sees it.

“He is typical of Kalgoorlie people as there’s not a lot of bullshit with it all.

“He’s a straight shooter and calls it how he sees it.

“He’s got an attitude and motivation to win.

“That’s one of his major attributes there.

“His sense of humour also serves him well.

“He’s heading in the right direction with it all.”

With racing steeped in family bloodlines, Fernie has had a great leg-up to the industry, following in the footsteps of dad, Peter, grandfather, John and great grandfather, Rob.

His father has been a giant of Kalgoorlie training for years, setting a remarkable new benchmark at the recently completed season a few weeks back.

Fernie reigned supreme in a big way, training 74 winners, 13 more than his previous best season in 2018 to claim an astonishing 16 trainer trophies in 17 years.

Despite their bond as father and son and the common interest they share, Inglis says there are differing styles between the Fernie’s

“You have two contrasting characters,” Inglis said.

“Peter is far more conservative with things.

“Luke has nerves of steel and doesn’t mind having a crack.

“He gets out there and amongst it.

“But, Pete’s very proud of what Luke’s achieved.

“He’s taken it really well.”

Fernie has the biggest training representation in Saturday’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes.

Market order has Bravo Centurion as the pick of the trio, chasing seven straight wins and a feature treble after the Crawford Stakes (1000m) and Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m), he’s at $9.40 with Laced Up Heels $81 and Man Crush $91.

Inglis said having to saddle up one Group 1 entrant is an achievement, let alone three.

“That’s crazy when you think about it,” Inglis said.

“It’s a great achievement for a young bloke.

“To have horses going well enough to go in those races is a big effort.

“He’s got a belief in them that they’ll go alright.”

Julio Santarelli