Paul Black's new job - "I've done a bit of everything"

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 
 
There are few things Paul Black hasn't done in harness racing - now he's got a new role to add to the collection.  
 
The versatile Cantabrian, who's been a champion junior driver, a trainer, a TAB operator (and plenty more), is HRNZ's new Development Co-Ordinator, taking over from Roddy Butt, who's moved on to a new role with the Racing Integrity Board.  
 
The South Island will be his priority with trainer-driver Todd Macfarlane performing a supporting role up north. It's a 20-hour a week job designed to help the next generation and Black's ready to go.
 
"I've done a bit of everything and all my life experiences will help in this for sure," says Black.
 
Interestingly he was not from a racing family.
 
"Not at all, I saw horses in the birdcage at the races and I thought this looks interesting."
 
He was 16 or 17 at the time - it started a relationship with racing that's continued over the ensuing four decades or so.
 
"Once it's in your blood you always circle back to it," he says.
 
Initially Black thought he was going to become a vet. But the lure of the sulky proved too strong.
 
His first win was with the Robert Dunn-trained Marie Evander in Wellington in 1982.
 
A year later he won the New Zealand Junior Driver Championships.  
 
"I won both heats at Invercargill," says Black, "and Mark Purdon was an also ran!"
 
From the early 1980s to 2007 he drove 20 winners in all. Black rates Kiri Rae as the best horse he ever drove. He won three from five for trainer Robbie Rowland in 1985 being sold to North America.
 
After working for Dunn at his old West Melton base (before the move to Woodend) Black joined his boss in partnership for just one year in 1984.
 
"I was the first junior driver to be licenced as a trainer," says Black.
 
They had five wins together before Black trained 16 on his own account from the mid 1980s to 2005.
 
These days Black has a number of gigs to go with his new job. He works for HRNZ as a horse identifier microchipping new foals and works part time as a "trackman" at Addington Raceway.  He is also the Secretary of the Trainers and Drivers Association, though plans to step down soon.
 
Previously he also managed five TAB retail outlets in and around Christchurch.

"I’m living proof that this industry can take you in all sorts of directions," says Black. 
 
He has also been an owner. Most recently he's been in he ownership group that races eight-race winner Patiro, trained by Brendon "Benny" Hill.
 
It all adds up to a wealth of experience - so what are his goals for the new role?
 
"I think of this job in terms of breaking in a horse. Once they hit their straps they are away."
 
"You'd like to think that anyone who sits in the cart for the first time that there is a future for them whether it's a trainer or driver or in any other way."