Ex-local's galloper a winner

THRILL: Kelvin Wilton, who shares in the ownership of Cool Chap, with wife Jennifer, grandson Lachlan and pet dog Ceejay. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A former linesman for the Wairarapa Electric Power Board got a real surge of excitement on Anzac Day when the horse he shares ownership of won the Victoria Racing Club's St Leger at Flemington.

Kelvin Wilton, son of Masterton couple Gordon and Janet Wilton, owns a motel in Mudgee, New South Wales these days and has dabbled in racehorse ownership. But this win, according to his dad, "was a great thrill for him".

The horse that did the honours was Cool Chap, a 3-year-old gelding by High Chaparral from Cherishing who won the coveted race in the hands of young Kiwi jockey Dan Stackhouse, who has been riding in Australia for some time now.

Mr Wilton was educated at Masterton East School and Makoura College.

He worked for Loader Engineering and as a linesman for the Wairarapa Electric Power Board before moving to Australia about 20 years ago, where he has been in the motel business at various locations.

His father said because he had been busy at the motel in Mudgee - a recent acquisition - his son had not been at Flemington to see the St Leger win but had watched Cool Chap's success on television.

Mr Wilton is a part-owner of the horse and has shared in the ownership of other horses in the past, including Frisco Agogo and Frisco Lass, the latter having won on debut paying A$72 ($79) on the win machine.

Cool Chap is trained by Lee Freedman, having earlier been prepared by Peter Moody, who gave away training only a month or so ago.

The galloper has now won three times in just seven starts and has chalked up two seconds and a third.

His prize money in his short career so far totals A$213,250.

Mr Wilton is married to Jennifer and the couple have two children.

He is likely to be remembered in Wairarapa for his skill as a hockey player.