Popular Redcliffe-based owner Dave Greaves is a familiar sight at the bayside track, normally sporting his high-vis workwear after downing his plumbing tools earlier in the day.
Over many decades, Greaves, 52, has raced thoroughbreds, greyhounds and standardbreds with considerable success.
He’s lost count with the number of horses and greyhounds he’s raced over the past 17 years. But his love of harness racing stands above all else.
Born in Brisbane and raised at Wynnum, east of Brisbane, Greaves and his family moved to Redcliffe when he was 10-years-old and has been there ever since.
He’s a stone’s throw away from Dolphin Stadium, home of the latest NRL expansion side, the Dolphins.
As a youngster, Greaves would work as a fruit packer to earn some pocket money before embarking on his plumbing apprenticeship once he completed school. A chance meeting working for Redcliffe cabinet maker Tommy Sanderson really changed his life.
“I took on a role doing some plumbing work at jobs where Tommy and his boys, Peter and Shane, were cabinet making and things just went from there. They enjoyed their racing, and I just followed along, and things just swelled from there,” Greaves said.
“Once Shane started training a few from Knight Street, my interest started to grow and, being a young fella back then, the punt was the best way to be involved.
"I remember Shane starting a horse called Lord Rainbow on the Wednesday night and winning before backing it up on the Saturday at Albion Park and running a ripper race again. Fair to say, I earned a few dollars and was hooked immediately.”
Ownership has become a key part for Greaves and the list is endless.
His first foray into ownership came via Excel Oris, a pacer claimed from the stables of Bill and Grant Dixon who went on to win four races but ultimately only whetted the appetite for more horses.
Another great early purchase was Maplea Joe, a winner of 17 races including three at Albion Park while also contesting the 2009 Sunshine Sprint (won by Karloo Mick) and Winter Cup (won by Blacks A Fake).
The talented Rumsron soon followed and the P B Bullville gelding provided plenty of thrills including his second placing behind Marshall Law in the Group 2 $85,000 QBRED Triad 3YO Final at Albion Park back in 2011.
“Looking back, we had so much fun back in those early days with some handy types. Shane is an excellent conditioner and remains a great mate to this day. Back then you could get a bet on so that was always a bonus,” Greaves said.
“Another pair of talented young horses we had was Wallis King and Reddy Fire.
"We took them down to Bathurst for the Group 1 Gold Crown series back in 2012, they both qualified for the $100,000 Final after Wallis King won his heat while Reddy Fire finished second in his heat but in lead-up to the final, we got offered significant money for Wallis King by Victorian-based owner Danny Zavitsanos.
“Following some strong conversations Shane recommended we accept the offer, and we sold him before the final.
"He was unplaced and went amiss after just 16 starts. I’ll never forget the situation when meeting to pick-up the cash, it was like a scene out of a movie.”
Other talented performers over the years include Diamond Fantasy, Lifesa Ranger, Loorim Creek, Change Of Mind, Winsome Caesar, Chantrey and Better Then Heaven.
Greaves was also part of The Ten Apprentices syndicate that have raced several talented types including Ourmatemenko, a Downbytheseaside gelding purchased by Sanderson from an online 2020 New Zealand Weanling Sale.
To date, Ourmatemenko has won 12 races from 35 starts with earnings just shy of $100,000.
Sanderson bought several weanlings that year including the current star mare Chynchilla.
When Sanderson and his young family moved interstate, firstly Sydney and now Melbourne, Greaves continued to support the stable and still does but purchased a few horses for local trainer Graham Dwyer.
“I love going to the races and wanted something to cheer on, so I decided to buy into a few horses with Graham and his clients and it’s been very enjoyable,” Greaves said.
“Graham and his family are a bit like me; hardworking and no-nonsense types and I’m more than happy to support him.
"I’ve raced horses like Quik Change, Scores, Craddock, Hell Of A Hand, Tegan Lee and Chloes Promise while I’ve got three rising two-years-olds coming along.
“Winning the Group 1 $150,000 QBRED Triad plus the Breeders Classic last year was a career highlight and then being crowned the Queensland 2YO of the Year was another massive bonus.”
Greaves rates Better Then Heaven and Lieutenant Lou as his biggest disappointments in the game.
“Both horses looked super exciting but succumbed before reaching their prime. It’s an unfortunate situation but never gets easier to forget,” he said.
Through his connection to Redcliffe and the club, Greaves has served on the RHRC committee and provided plenty of help with plumbing issues over the years. As a result, Greaves was anointed as a Life Member a few years ago.
Unmarried and diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic back in 2012, which requires several injections per day, Greaves loves nothing more than attending a harness meeting and enjoying a cold beer.
“I appreciate the company at a racetrack and mixing with the people, it’s relaxing and quite therapeutic in many ways,” he said.
"There are always good stories to be told at the track and I’ve always been happy to give back where I can.
“I don’t have many hobbies, I’m hopeless at golf and a poor fisherman so I find racing some horses as my escape. We’re all different but this is me.”
Greaves has raced and bred several thoroughbreds with his good mate Shane Barling over the years and rates Monashee Mountain gelding Patties Mate (17 wins, $321,000) as his best while he also races several greyhounds.
Safe to say, Greaves is on the right track.
