The Queen Of Kembla’s remarkable reign atop the overall trainers premiership has ended.
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I just want to keep going the way I am going because it is a hard game
- Gwenda Markwell
After 14 straight winning seasons, Gwenda Markwell has been dethroned by the state’s leading horseman Chris Waller.
While Markwell can still lay claim to being the region’s top horsewoman on the back of another Kembla trainers only title, she was unable to stop the Waller juggernaut in a competitive 2016-17 season.
Waller’s total of 124 points proved enough for him to end Markwell’s outstanding run, which dates back to 2003 when she captured the title from racing’s leading lady Gai Waterhouse.
Markwell (109) finished in second overall, on level points with Peter and Paul Snowden. John O’Shea was third on 88 points.
Markwell was still a dominant winner of the local crown, with 11 victories and $178,900 in prize money earned.
The haul, which was 15 less than her total last year, was still easily enough to defeat Kerry Parker (5 wins) and Theresa Bateup (4 wins).
“It’s nice to win that, but I couldn’t do it without all my staff and all the people around me,” Markwell said of the local crown.
“That includes the owners as well. You are not there without them or your staff.
“There is no target for next season, I just want to keep going the way I am going because it is a hard game.”
Markwell’s last winner for the season came last Saturday after Coolcraft claimed the Club Central Benchmark 70 Handicap (1300m).
She also won the Horse Of The Year title, with Alert By Sea accumulating 38 points over the past 12 months.
The trainer’s biggest win of the season came away from her home track when she claimed a heat of the Provincial Championships with Pomelo. Pomelo went on to finish fourth in the final at Randwick.
- KEMBLA GRANGE TRAINERS ONLY
Gwenda Markwell - 11 wins ($178,900)
Kerry Parker - 5 wins ($81.050)
Theresa Bateup - 4 wins ($67,200)
Stephen Hill - 3 wins ($47,450)
Michael Tubman - 3 wins ($47,450)
- OVERALL TRAINERS
Chris Waller – 124 points
Gwenda Markwell – 109 points
Peter & Paul Snowden – 109 points