Jon Ponsonby back in winners circle after three decades

Ponsonby secured a win in his return to the sport at Temora on Tuesday night, as God Bless You got his career off to a perfect start.

God Bless You led all the way to ensure a memorable return to racing for the 67-year-old.

"He did an excellent job and I couldn't have asked him to do anymore than that," Ponsonby said.

"The time was slow but I don't care about that as you only go as quick as you've got to go. "He did everything perfectly after being heavily supported."

God Bless You only clocked a mile rate of 2:05.5 but did go on to win by 9.9 metres.

Peter McRae took the winning drive

Ponsonby is stranger to the industry despite going 35 years without a runner.

After deciding to give up training, he worked for Harness Racing NSW but after retiring to Young he got back in the game.

"It's been 35 years since I've trained a horse," Ponsonby said.

"I got out of it as I sort of had to as I couldn't compete when David Aiken and Chris Gleeson came along with three children to raise so I went and got a job at the authority for 18 years.

"I've always had a mare to breed one or two and we had that we bred that my son (James) had broken in so I put him into work.

"It took me three and half months to get a licence."

God Bless You is the only horse of racing age in his stable, with Ponsonby also working up some younger horses.

He hopes he can help the son of Somebeachsomewhere work his way through the grades after a strong debut performance.

"I think he will be a nice horse," Ponsonby said.

"He gives you every indication with a dash of high speed.

"I'll just try to pick out the easiest races I can for him."

While he's frustrated he's yet to be granted a driver's licence, Ponsonby was particularly thrilled thrilled to win the Vale Gloria Pike Pace.

"It was nice to get back in the saddle and it was particularly nice to win a race in memory of Gloria Pike," he said.

"Gloria Pike was one of the secretaries I used to deal with at the authority as a handicapper for 18 years and I used to deal with all the secretaries on a pretty constant basis.

"Gloria Pike was most astute, very hard working and just a lovely person.

"Nothing was every a trouble for Gloria when you were compiling fields

"She was just a gem and I felt quite honoured to win it for her.

"I didn't know she had died until I saw the fields and the Vale Gloria Pike.

"Her daughter was there and it was very nice to be able to say something at the presentation to honour her a little bit.

"A lot of the secretaries are the same and they really keep the industry going and people don't realise how much hard work they do and she was particularly a nice lady."