Noonan and trotter Trapper inspirational
John Noonan interviewed by Bendigo Advertiser Editor Rod Case
17 March 2012 - In combination with his top trotter Will Trapper, John Noonan’s remarkable harness racing story has seen him presented with the Inspirational Award at last night’s Bendigo Advertiser-WIN Television Sports Star of the Year awards.Told by doctors he was lucky to be alive after battling serious illness for more than two years, Noonan trained Will Trapper to victory in the prestigious Group One Bill Collins Mile at Cranbourne in December.
After suffering a burst abscess on his kidney, the 69-year-old Sedgwick trainer was told 99 per cent of people his age would have died – but he recovered sufficiently to continue to work his horses. Incredibly, Will Trapper was having just its third start in two years in the Mile victory following a ligament injury and prolonged virus, which would normally force lesser horses into retirement. But Trapper became the third horse to win the race for a second time three years apart in what Noonan said was his most satisfying win. Following the Bill Collins Mile win, Trapper backed up with a gallant third in the Group One Australian Trotting Grand Prix before cruising to victory in its last start in a Free For All at Melton in January. Noonan had hoped to race 10-year-old Trapper in the Inter-Dominion trotting series, but the trotter was a late scratching with swelling in his near-side hind leg. Noonan was presented with his award by Bendigo Advertiser editor Rod Case. “I’d like to thank everyone that helped me when things weren’t great,’’ Noonan said. “You’ve got to have a wonderful family around you to pull through.” Noonan said Will Trapper was making good progress after his latest injury concern. “The horse is four to five weeks away from racing,’’ he said. “He’ll make it back. He’s a lot better now than when I started the last preparation with him. ”Will Trapper has now had 44 starts for 14 wins and 10 placings with more than $260,000 in prizemoney. - Bendigo Advertiser
After suffering a burst abscess on his kidney, the 69-year-old Sedgwick trainer was told 99 per cent of people his age would have died – but he recovered sufficiently to continue to work his horses. Incredibly, Will Trapper was having just its third start in two years in the Mile victory following a ligament injury and prolonged virus, which would normally force lesser horses into retirement. But Trapper became the third horse to win the race for a second time three years apart in what Noonan said was his most satisfying win. Following the Bill Collins Mile win, Trapper backed up with a gallant third in the Group One Australian Trotting Grand Prix before cruising to victory in its last start in a Free For All at Melton in January. Noonan had hoped to race 10-year-old Trapper in the Inter-Dominion trotting series, but the trotter was a late scratching with swelling in his near-side hind leg. Noonan was presented with his award by Bendigo Advertiser editor Rod Case. “I’d like to thank everyone that helped me when things weren’t great,’’ Noonan said. “You’ve got to have a wonderful family around you to pull through.” Noonan said Will Trapper was making good progress after his latest injury concern. “The horse is four to five weeks away from racing,’’ he said. “He’ll make it back. He’s a lot better now than when I started the last preparation with him. ”Will Trapper has now had 44 starts for 14 wins and 10 placings with more than $260,000 in prizemoney. - Bendigo Advertiser
