By Russell Bennett
‘Why not?’ – it’s a question that constantly goes through Max Mitchell’s mind when he ponders the wondrous possibilities ahead for his beloved Pakenham Racing Club.
A committee member of the club, Max’s perspective was altered drastically when – three years ago – doctors gave him just three months to live.
Since that fateful moment, each and every day for him has been truly special – a gift.
But even with the new perspective that a life-altering diagnosis provides, Max’s weekend must surely have been better than most when he was announced as the ‘owner ambassador’ for Pakenham’s entry into the $5 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield later this month – Mr Quickie.
Following the announcement of the 10 highest vote-getting horses for this year’s race, one voter for each ‘All-Star’ was randomly-selected to be its ‘owner ambassador’.
And, incredibly, Max – whose daughter is a stable-hand for trainer Phillip Stokes – got the call up for the Racing.com Park-based, Mr Quickie.
And he’s bullish about his prospects, too.
“He’s got a great record first up – he’s run, what, 14 placings out of 17 starts? That includes nine wins, and he’s got Phillip Stokes training him and of course one of the guys in the ownership group is Peter Moody, who I know very well,” Max said.
“It’s great to have them be a part of Pakenham, and of course the other great thing about it is that my daughter is a stable-hand for Stokes Racing.
“It truly is a family affair.”
At every turn of the page, this seems like a story that was just meant to be.
Of the more than 5600 people who cast a vote for Mr Quickie, it just seems like fate that Max was drawn as the horse’s ambassador.
“I know quite a larger number of people who voted for Mr Quickie, because I was going around to the members telling them to!” he said with a laugh.
“He’s our local hope, and I think it’s great for the area to have him in the race – just like it is having entrants from Queensland and New Zealand.
“It’s fantastic having a horse in it from Pakenham.”
Max spoke of the shock at his prognosis three years ago, adding that it’s since made him appreciate “all the small things”.
“It was a shock at the time, but I was lucky to be put on an experimental drug trial, which has just done wonders for me,” he said.
“Truthfully, it’s allowed me to be here today.”
Max has tumours in his lungs, but has also had four other major operations – including the removal of his prostate, and a kidney.
“I went through a bit over the years, and it just kept spreading and I thought my time was up,” he said.
“I had to sell my property at Nar Nar Goon North, which brought a great sadness to my heart, but I sold it to some lovely people.
“My blood, sweat and tears went into that property but it (such a health battle) changes your lifestyle and what you do.
“I think you then appreciate the smaller things and you don’t worry about too much anymore. The most important thing to me is my wife and making sure she was safe and secure.
“I never thought I’d make it to mine and my wife’s 50th wedding anniversary, but it’s happening next month.”
Max has always been involved in horses, and at one stage had Jeteven – which one 10 city races.
“Any horse that wins 10 in town isn’t a bad horse,” he said proudly.
“It’s been my life, and a couple of years ago they made me a life member here at Pakenham, which was probably one of the greatest honours I’ve ever had. I owe this club a lot.
“Somebody once said to me – an official from Country Racing Victoria – that every country racetrack in Victoria would love to be able to do what Pakenham has done (at Racing.com Park in Tynong). The difference is that Pakenham went and did it, and I think that sums it up.
“I’m an ex-sales director of Yellow Pages here in Australia, and I was a director of a number of companies, and this committee is the best committee I’ve ever worked with. They’re forward-thinking and have an incredible ability to absorb pressure, and their decision-making process has been very successful.
“My selection (as Mr Quickie’s ambassador) was random, but from my point of view he’ll be racing for the Pakenham Racing Club, not for me.”
Max came straight from his latest round of chemotherapy at St John of God in Berwick just to speak with the Gazette at Racing.com Park on Monday afternoon. That’s just the type of man he is.
He has the treatment every fortnight, and will for the rest of his life.
“It’s a drug that’s stopped the growth of the tumours, and as long as that remains I’ll probably die of old age,” he said with a smile.
“I’m just so grateful that it’s given me this extra time with my family and my friends, and to be able to see all of this happen at the Pakenham Racing Club.
“I must say, also, that I owe so much to the girls at the oncology ward at St John of God. They’re just wonderful, wonderful people. Every time I walk in there it’s like walking in amongst rainbows – it’s just a great feeling.
“Having this extra time, just meeting them was worth it to me.”
Max is eagerly awaiting this year’s All-Star Mile, but also the day in which Pakenham hosts its own event of a similar magnitude.
“I think it’s something we’ll definitely be talking about because we’ve seen the excitement in this (the All-Star Mile), and The Everest in Sydney,” he said.
“So why not? It’s putting a race together, and we’re in the racing game.
“So, why couldn’t it be achievable at Pakenham? I can assure you, I’ll be bringing it up at the next committee meeting. There’s no reason for us to not shoot for the stars.”
The owner ambassador for the winning horse of the All-Star Mile on 14 March will pocket $250,000, while second will net $75,000, third $40,000, fourth $20,000, fifth $15,000, and $10,000 for all the other owner ambassadors. Essentially, the minimum amount of money that Max will take home is $10,000.
The Pakenham Racing Club is delighted that Mr Quickie has made the field, and is also thrilled that Max has been named his owner ambassador.
All country racing club members are entitled to two complimentary members reserve passes on presentation of their full membership card at the Caulfield race day office on the day, and Pakenham Racing Club chief executive Blair Odgers hopes that local members head along to Caulfield for the day to help cheer on Mr Quickie alongside Max.
“It’s really exciting to have a locally-trained horse lining up in such a prestigious race, and the fact that Max is his owner ambassador makes it even more of a thrill,” he said.
“We hope to see as many of our members as possible at the races on 14 March, and hopefully it can be a Pakenham win on the day.”
