Grafton trainer put through paces

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WHEN it comes to racehorses old habits are hard to cure - just ask Grafton trainer 'Pistol' Peter Sinclair.

Sinclair prepares aged gelding Halt, a chronic box walker who saddles up for its 79th start in the KFC Grafton Benchmark 62 Hcp (1200m) today.

Thoroughbred box walkers are not uncommon.

Old-time horseman have recommended a variety of cures to stop the noble steed wandering constantly in its stall and chewing on the surrounds.

Halt, a 10-year-old owned by Sinclair and George Tillman, has had the problem most of his life.

Few people realise the behind the scenes work that goes into presenting the thoroughbred fit and ready to win.

“He's a box walker and can be a bit of a larrikin having a chew on things,” Sinclair suggested. “He gives himself a bit of a caning at times.

“When I first inherited him off Sucha Singh, I tried a lot of things - mirrors in his stall, tyres on the ground, balls to kick around, hanging bottles on the roof - just about everything to take his mind off walking.

“I've given up now. I just leave him alone. It (box walking) doesn't seem to effect him as much.

“He's a horse that doesn't really like the paddock. He just loves attention, enjoys his racing and trackwork. He's happy, loving life.”

It's a credit to Sinclair's horsemanship that Halt presents so well in the yard - gleaming in the coat, fit and still with a zest for racing at an age when most gallopers are long retired.

“As a young trainer, he's been a great horse to learn from, fantastic,” Sinclair said.

“He's always had trouble with his feet but they're currently the best they've ever been and his legs, they're as tough as steel.

“In the coat he still looks like a three-year-old. He certainly prances around like a three-year-old.”

“He's just a happy camper.”

Halt has raced consistently under Sinclair's guidance and isn't without a chance of adding to his record - 78 starts, nine wins and 20 placings - tomorrow. “He's had no luck in his past couple of starts, there's been a couple of messy races,” Sinclair said.