Encouragement pays off after 116 drives

Sydney hobby harness racing driver Grant Ellul was at a point where he was going to give away the reins.

After numerous drives without a winner, Ellul thought it was best to give his engagements to those that drive more frequently.

However, following an encouraging chat with his father, trainer Allan Ellul, the 24-year-old changed his perspective.

This resulted in success with their pacer Bartello at Menangle on Tuesday – Ellul’s first winner after 116 drives.

“When they told me the stats I couldn’t believe it . . . it was great to get that win,” said Ellul.

“To be honest, I was almost going to give it up (driving) but I had a chat to Dad and with this horse Bartello coming up, he said it’s the only horse we can have a trainer/driver duo with so I stuck to it.

“It was a great feeling to get this win with Bartello, he was foaled at home and we raised him and he won first up.”

After a promising trial, Ellul was confident Bartello, a gelded son of Mr Feelgood, would do well first up.

“The night before I was tossing and turning in bed with plan A, B to Z planned out in my head,” said Ellul.

“I knew if I could get him out safe and keep him together he would do well and it paid off.

“We’re aiming him towards a Queensland campaign in a few weeks if he measures up which we think he will.”

BARTELLO / GRANT ELLUL REPLAY

Bartello is one of two pacers Ellul assists his father in training.

Ellul, who owns a cabinet making business, has driven horses for as long as he can remember.

“I drove mini trotters, I drove  maxi trotters with Nathan Xuereb and Chris Geary and have been doing the horses with my family for my whole life,” said Ellul.

“In the school holidays I would help Charlie Camilleri and learned a lot.

“Now after Dad and I finish work of an afternoon we go work the horses at my grandparents place in Llandilo and it’s our way to wind down and forget about work for the day.”

Bartello’s success gave Allan Ellul his second winner as a trainer in 70 starters.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink