Peter Giadresco’s break from racing was a stark reminder on how much he missed it.
Giadresco last saddled a runner two years ago, but is ready to relaunch himself in the training ranks.
It was the simple things Giadresco missed most from racing : friendships, the banter with contemporaries and the racing partnership with sons Matthew and Quenten.
The Group 1 winning trainer left racing tired and jaded, but it was the physical and mental scars from a shocking trucking accident that eventually wore him down.
It was a miracle that he survived after a half-tonne steel ramp on the back of his truck crushed him, leaving him with a ruptured thoracic and 13 broken ribs.
The itch to return was always in the back of Giadresco’s mind, but the extended break has reenergised, refreshed and reignited his passion for racing.
He can’t wait to get back.
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been back at the track with a horse under my name,” Giadresco told The Races WA.
“I’m excited actually, I’m liking this, I’m really excited.
“My boys are too; we are back having discussions about racing again.
“I’m in a real happy spot after going through a pretty hard time health wise.
“That took a bit of getting over and it’s hard training horses when you are a bit sore.
“I took a breather, but I’m coming back at a good time.
“There seems to be an upbeat feel around WA racing at the moment.”
Influencing Giadresco’s return is home bred three-year-old Speak To Me.
The son of God Has Spoken has gone around once, finishing fifth at Northam last year for Ryan Hill, who did early education on the gelding.
Back with Giadresco, Speak To Me ran a solid second to Exchange Rate in a Lark Hill trial on Monday.
Giadresco rates Speak To Me highly, so much so he has thrown in a nomination for the WA Derby.
“I quite like this horse,” Giadresco said.
“I’ve nominated him for the Derby, but I feel I’m two weeks too late.
“He’s still a bit big, but this trial will bring him on a heap.
“I will probably give him a race over 1000m at Pinjarra on March 2.
“If he didn’t have any ability I wouldn’t have bothered with him.
“He’s got potential, how much I don’t know.
“The horse was well educated by Ryan (Hill) who did a magnificent job.
“To me he looks a horse that could stick a bit which makes it exciting.”
The G3 WA Derby (2400m) is at Ascot on April 8.
Julio Santarelli