Compare the pair – same (almost) age, same hobby, but…

NEWS of Josie Justice being granted a trainer’s license at 90 became thought provoking when compared to an article published on www.nationaltrotguide.com.au last week.

After almost two decades without a license, Justice applied for and was given the ‘green light’ by Harness Racing Victoria to once again prepare horses.

Sadly, Justice’s return was not a winning one, with her runner finishing at the tail of the field in Bendigo last night.

Nonetheless, Justice’s comeback was widely celebrated, including free-to-air coverage on Channel Nine News!

HRV is one of only two Australian states which do not require an applicant to pass a ‘medical’ to hold a trainer’s license.

South Australia is the other.

As for the aforementioned article, it was about veteran horseman Terry Coelli, who trained what could be his last winner when Beryl was successful, ironically, in Young!

Coelli explained he had difficulty gaining the medical clearance this season and is worried he may not pass the required test when renewals are due.

After training standardbreds for more than 70 years, the 88-year-old was grimly heading towards ‘forced retirement’.

Coelli’s continued participation is in vast contrast to Justice whose previous training effort was in 2002.

“I’m 88 and struggled to get them to clear me to train this season,” Coelli said. “I doubt the doctors will give me a pass on the physical this year so this could be my last hurrah.

“I started working horses with Tassie Moore when I was about 18 and now I’ll be forced to stop.

“I tried to explain I only feed them and help put them on the jogger, but it didn’t get me far.”

Justice’s returned prompted a call to each governing body in search of the various license requirements for ‘seniors’.

Coelli’s concerns are justified as his home state – New South Wales – does have a medical requirement.

The silver lining for Coelli is Harness Racing New South Wales also allows for a non hands-on training option if he is unable to meet the medical requirement.

Basically Coelli can remain the registered trainer and make all the decision in relation to his team, but cannot touch a horse.

This includes simple actions such as putting on and taking off gear.

“I’ll take that,” Coelli said. “As long as I can still do some things with the horses around the stable I’ll be happy.

“I’m not ready to stop yet, there’s still some stuff in the basement!”

Tasmania and Queensland require trainers to have medicals every five years, while Western Australia demands a medical is passed each year once the licensee passes 50!

WA’s policy was “brought in for insurance purposes many years ago”.