Luke Tabone, originally from the Bacchus Marsh region, relocated to the Goulburn Valley towards the back end of 2025 and has started the new year in style, claiming his first win of 2026 last week.
Recent purchase Sea Fury stormed past the post to salute in race one at Maryborough on February 11, going three wide early before working forward and clinching a memorable triumph.
“He settled outside the leader; it was quite a windy day, so I was a little unsure how he’d go in those conditions having to do the work,” Tabone said.
“It was a really good win in the end.”
As Tabone prepared to watch the six-year-old gelding trot closer to the starting gate, emotions were undoubtedly dialled up high.
But someone else close to him was experiencing the race on the front line: Tabone’s partner.
Renowned Shepparton driver Rebecca Bartley was busy in the sulky, preparing to lead Sea Fury to success in the first race of the afternoon.
“I don’t know if I was more nervous or she was,” Tabone said with a laugh.
“But it’s going to be more pressure on next time he goes round, she’s got to keep the good strike rate up.”
In terms of strike rate, Sea Fury’s is 100 per cent with Tabone.
He purchased the sire of Always B Miki at auction three months ago, launching him at Maryborough in a roaring debut.
“First start, first win so that was perfect,” Tabone said.
As for Tabone himself, the move to Shepparton came with the aim to be closer to Bartley as the pair look to strike up a resounding relationship on and off the track.
“I’m stabled with Bec Bartley, my partner, so I thought it was the right time to move down with her,” he said.
“We’ve been together for a little while, and I thought I’d make the move up here and see what it’s like.
“It’s a really tight community, Shepp. There are people around the track and everyone’s really helpful so it’s been great.”
Tabone will hope to witness the second race victory as trainer of Sea Fury this weekend when trekking to Cranbourne, believing “he’ll be a good chance again”.
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