The smile said it all for first-time winner

Newcastle reinswoman Keali Hepworth had more time than most to enjoy the moment of her maiden harness racing driving win.

The teenager piloted eight-year-old gelding Alot Of Cost (Lanercost) to a three-metre victory in the Rarity Wholesale Pace at her home track last Monday afternoon (Apr 22).

“When I got to the 300 metre mark, I thought we had them covered – but I’m actually dreading seeing the winning photo.  It’ll be all just a big cheesy grin, I think!” she laughed.

“It was great just to be able to enjoy the moment, though.  I’ll never forget it.  My dad (Mathew) was there, and I think I could hear him screaming from about the 500! Alot Of Cost is my favorite horse in the stable, so that was a bit special too.”

Keali previously had 11 unplaced race starts under her belt and turned in a textbook drive for trainer Bevan Pringle.

“He isn’t really a horse that travels too well inside, and Bevan had told me not to go to the fence.  I was sitting three back in the running line and when Josh took off in front of me on Mercurious, I thought we’d better follow, and he finished really strongly,” she said.

Keali came to harness racing with no background in the sport, but via the NSW Mini Trotters system.

“My dad is well into thoroughbreds. I had riding horses, and my mum is into horses as well but none of my family had anything to do with harness racing. But when I was 11 my mum’s partner Andrew introduced me to someone who had pony trotters, and that’s how I really got started.

“I met Bevan through the pony trots and it’s really through him that I have been able to work and go on and get my licence.

“I’ve had a lot of help along the way with people letting me get on their horses for the trials – Kevin Warby is another one who’s helped me a lot, and Bevan’s dad Stuart as well.”

Keali, who finished Year 12 last year, is keeping her career options open, but hoping to find her way into the industry full time.

“I help Bevan at his stables with training and driving horses, feeding and just all the usual duties. He has 10 in work at the moment, so there’s plenty to do, and I do a little bit of work for Adam Rugari too,” she said.

“Ideally, I would like to have a crack at making a career out of harness racing, but for the time being I’m just concentrating on work, getting more experience and getting my name out there a little bit more – and hopefully driving a few more winners!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink