Quill loving it in New Zealand

A harness racing nomad, Seamus Quill heads to Hawera today (Feb. 3) for three drives, including two in the Revell Douglas Memorial Series.

The Irishman is on his third visit to this country, keen to build on the one win and five placings he’s had from 27 drives since 2018. His sole victory came with the then Steve Telfer-trained Parker (American Ideal) at Cambridge in December 2019.

“I love it here,” says the 29-year-old, who is working for the Telfer team in South Auckland, “and the grass track racing especially is super.”

Quill’s family comes from Kenmare, a small town in County Kerry.

“My dad used to race. I was doing saddle races at 12 and started driving at 16…. most of the tracks in Ireland are a half mile, it’s a totally different style, more like a picnic meeting.”

In recent years he has spent half his time at home and the rest overseas.

“I’ve been to Australia, France, Sweden and the USA and soon I’ll be moving to the US fulltime.”

At Taranaki today he’ll drive three in-form pacers in Cali Franco (He’s Watching), Peter Forsberg (Well Said) and Whiskey On The Rocks (Art Major).

The Eddie Phelan-trained Cali Franco will front up in Race 2, the Carrfield Livestock/ Dan Hughes Ltd Mobile pace, after a fourth and second in early January.

‘I drove him the last two and he went well. He’s on the unruly and can be a handful and this looks a stronger race but I’d say he’s a top four chance.”

At Tauherenikau two starts back Cali Franco finished second to Whiskey On The Rocks, who Quill will drive in Race 6, the Alabar Stud Revell Douglas Series Heat 2 Mobile Pace.

“I have not driven him before but from that draw (1) we should get into a good position and hopefully he’ll be coming at them late.”

Before then he’ll drive Peter Forsberg for his “good friend” Jay Abernethy in Race 5, the Kiwi Court Motel Revell Douglas Series Heat 1 Mobile Pace.

“He’s been good in his last two at Cambridge,” says Quill “and he’s raced a lot on grass so I’m expecting a good run.”

Peter Forsberg won on January 19 and then followed up with a fourth placing a week later.

The Hygain Revell Douglas series is in its second year, after Alicia Harrison took out the inaugural event in a close finish with Zev Meredith in 2022.

It was set up in memory of Revell Douglas, a South Auckland trainer who drowned at Karioitahi Beach in January 2021. Passionate about seeing young people succeed in the sport, Douglas worked for Hygain, who is the series’ sponsor.

The series is open to all junior drivers and will be run during February at meetings throughout the country.

Seventeen points will be allocated for first with 12 for second, 10 for 3rd, all the way to seven points for sixth.

After today’s opening heats the series will continue on the second day of the meeting on Sunday.

Today’s feature race is the Colin Jones Memorial Stratford Trotting Cup  over 2100 that will include the likes of Mimi E Coco (off 30m) and recent winners Trinity Star and the Michael House trained-duo of Franco Hoffman and Santanna Mach.

The Cup is due to go at 4.34pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk