TASMANIA’S racing industry is about to put it’s weight behind helping former thoroughbred trainer Terry Roles with his fight against Motor Neuron Disease.
Roles, who gave up training racehorses to become a nurse six years ago, was struck down with the disease early this year.
He has been accepted as a participant in trialling a new drug from America which is hoped will have a positive effect in combating the disease but the cost of the drug is excessive so he needs assistance with financing the program that could save his life.
If successful the treatment will not only help Roles but all those who suffer from the debilitating disease.
A group of Roles’ friends has arranged a special gala event at the Tasmanian Turf Club next month that will include a special guest line-up never before assembled in Tasmania. Tickets for the event at the Ladbrokes Racing Centre in Launceston on September 21 are available from goracingtasmania.com.au/tearing-up-the-turf.
Recent AFL football coach and former Tasmanian player Brendon Bolton heads the line-up and it will be interesting to hear his warts and all account of his time as coach of Carlton and the emotional roller-coaster he’s been on since his sacking.
Former race caller Greg Miles will make the trip from Melbourne and he will have plenty of interesting memoirs and highlights on which he will expand, along with some of the more interesting things that were connected with his calling of 36 Melbourne Cups.
Top Queensland thoroughbred trainer Rob Heathcote is a former Tasmanian who, when hearing of Roles’ plight, was the first to insist he be a part of the fundraiser at his own cost.
Heathcote is a master guest speaker and his rendition of all things racing are worth travelling a long way to hear and no doubt, the six times Queensland premiership trainer will elaborate on his time training his seven-time Group 1 winner Buffering.
Chris “The Bloke” Franklin will MC the night and provide a bit of light comedy with his unique bogan-style humour.
Tasmanian Turf Club CEO Peter Scott said there are a number of people involved in the fundraising event.
“It is hoped the racing industry will band together to support one of their own as he makes his way through this tough period and we have a number of people who are putting their hearts and souls into making this a successful fundraising event,” Scott said.
“It is not just the racing fraternity that we would like to see come out for a top night’s entertainment because the football and general sporting public also are bound to enjoy hearing from the guest speakers.
“They will also enjoy a first-class meal and premium drinks.
“We are already witnessing the generosity of many people with the donation of auction items that are starting to flood in.
“Gai Waterhouse has offered a two-hour guided tour of her Melbourne stables during the heart of the Spring carnival.
“Bart McCulloch has offered a three-month free agistment package at Grenville Stud along with an accommodation voucher and Craig and Angela Brakey have donated a framed Makybe Diva – The Last Hurrah print that is bound to attract plenty of bids.”
Tickets for Tearing up the Turf for Terry, which is an official Aussie Legends event, cost $140 per person that includes a two-course buffet carvery (main and dessert) along with premium wine, beer and soft drink package from 6.30pm – 10.30pm.
Tickets for the event at the TTC on September 21 are available at goracingtasmania.com.au/tearing-up-the-turf.