Wadley walks away a winner

• May Malqued-Wadley and Max Wadley with their winner Grizzly Montana at home in Springfield. 

April 26, 2023

By Taylor Clyne 

In all of his 76 years Max Wadley has never had a thrill quite like this one, walking away with his first win as a harness trainer with odds at 150/1.

The humble Springfield local has been involved with pacers for the past two decades but his win in Hobart on Sunday night has topped all previous successes as a horse owner. 

Eight-year-old pacer Grizzly Montana got away brilliantly from barrier seven in the Trainer Encouragement 2090m pace to take the lead against a strong field. 

Under guidance of driver Nathan Ford, he showed good gait speed to keep the lead and charge home winning in a time of 01:57.27.

“No one got past him we just couldn’t believe it,” Mr Wadley said.

Mr Wadley has been training the horse for around six months, waking every morning to take him to the Scottsdale Recreation Ground at 6am for his exercise. 

“I decided I wanted to give it a crack at training as the horse showed a lot of promise.

“The driver in the race was the former trainer so knew him well.

“It certainly played in our favour – we were that excited when we won.

“He’s a brilliant horse and we love him.”

Mr Wadley who is also a Vietnam Veteran said to win the week of Anzac Day made it just that bit more meaningful.

“It’s always a time of year that really brings the emotions up so to have this happen was really good for moral.”

And if you’re wondering, yes, they did back their own horse at unbelievable odds– in Max’s words “you bloody beauty!”. 

Mr Wadley said the gelding pulled up well and plans to enter him in the next appropriate race now that he’s moved up a class.