George Simon: Fish Sandwiches, Mary Shan and a Bakery
George Simon • December 1st, 2025 4:22 PM • 3 min read
I wouldn't mind a dollar for every kilometre I've travelled in this racing game. I reckon I'd be good for a round or two at the local watering hole.
Most years I'd average 20 to 30,000 kilometres on the road travelling to and from race meetings.
I've been doing this gig for 45 years.
Mathematics isn't my strong point but as a rough estimate, I'm pretty sure I'd be.... RICH!
So, what's that got to do with this week's column?
When you spend so much time on the road, you quickly work out the best places to stop for whatever you require.
Whether it's petrol, food or even, when circumstances permit, a cold one on the way home.
When it came to food, anyone travelling in my car knew it was compulsory to stop at the legendary Shand's Bakery in Huntly.
The freshly baked produce would be eagerly devoured by my travelling companions as we headed north to which ever race meeting.
The fish sandwich was the house specialty, and for good reason.
A large, battered snapper fillet, ensconced in freshly baked bread, doused in tartare sauce.
Delicious.
But I digress.
The owner of Shands Bakery was well known racing enthusiast, Gerald Shand.
A Waikato Racing Club Committeeman for many years, Shand is a long-time racing stalwart.
He's raced many gallopers and harness horses with considerable success with an enviable strike rate.
I first met him when I was playing Rugby League as a teenager, which is a long time ago now.
When my race calling career began, Gerald and I continued that connection over the years.
Often, he would be at the front desk when my carload of race day cronies would pop in.
Without fail, he'd ask us experts for a winner for the day.
He eventually realised, by the distinct lack of success, it was pointless asking us.
Although long retired to Clarks Beach, Shand was a very successful businessman.
Likewise, his breeding and racing interests.
And that continued at Ellerslie on Saturday.
When Mary Shan defeated reigning Horse of the Year, El Vencedor, in the Great Northern Challenge Stakes, I immediately thought of my old baker mate.
Shand bred and owns Mary Shan with his daughter, Jackie Rogers.
Coming with a perfectly timed run under Craig Grylls, Mary Shan swooped past El Vencedor in the shadows of the post for a thrilling victory.
These days, in his twilight years, Shand doesn't make it to too many race days.
He's happy to cheer his horses home from his lounge room.
I reckon he would have been doing a lot of cheering last Saturday.
