By MIKE DILLON
The stylised jackets at Ruakaka did more than keep the elements at bay.
The proliferation of "Rogerson Racing" black and red jackets underlined what a fabulous team effort it has been to come from left field and lift the premiership.
"Of all the things we've done, this is our finest achievement because it was such a great team effort," said Graeme Rogerson after going four wins clear in the premiership with Clear Advantage.
If there is a way of holding Graeme Rogerson down, it hasn't been made public.
Predictions of his spreading himself too thinly by opening a 70-plus stable in Sydney and a 60-horse complex in Melbourne, have yet to see any sign of confirmation.
And by opening yet another arm in Dubai, Rogerson has given global expansion a new definition.
He also gives new meaning to the line that if you stand still you go backwards.
In pouring rain at Ruakaka, Rogerson outlined his next month.
He caught the first flight to Sydney this morning to meet Nassa Lothar, owner of Emirates Park at Scone and one of the driving forces behind the Kiwi's foothold in Dubai.
On Friday he will be in Dubai finalising the completion of his new stables and next Monday night in London meets the three major South African owners he signed up during a trip to SA two weeks ago.
"I'll be in Sheikh Mohammed's box at Royal Ascot to see Dubai Millennium run in the King George Stakes and then I'm off to Ireland for five days to buy some fillies."
To further build his air points he will visit China on the way to Christchurch for New Zealand Bloodstock's South Island Sale on August 11, then to Melbourne to see Cullen run in the Manikato Stakes before flying back to Auckland for the Mercedes Awards Dinner in Auckland on August 18.
All of which seemed a little lofty standing in the rain at Ruakaka.
You can always rib Rogerson and he did not mind admitting on Saturday that he has been tough on his staff in the last month.
"When we decided to really have a crack at the premiership I put some real pressure on.
"Keith [Hawtin] was away for nearly a month and the pressure went on his son Brendon, who handled the job brilliantly.
"Ask him what pressure is all about, he'll be able to tell you.
"I was on a safari in South Africa when the midweek Te Rapa meeting was on and I was ringing Brendon with all these instructions, giving him hell really and he copped it."
There cannot be too much resentment of the treatment because in the racing game in Australia and New Zealand in the last two decades no one has been able to retain loyal staff better than Rogerson.
"I'm going to take Brendon into partnership one day," he says.
Father Keith sees a carbon copy in his son.
"It's remarkable. I'll go to do something and he'll say: "I've already done it."
"He seems to pre-empt everything I do."
Racing: Full team effort in winning formula
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