Qld star being lured south of the border

Young Queensland harness racing sensation Angus Garrard is only too happy to go border-hopping and could become a more familiar face down south.

The 20-year-old is based at Burpengary, 50 kms north of Brisbane and helps his father Daren prepare a team of 15 horses but he’s been booked to drive three horses at Menangle, Sydney, this afternoon (April 30).

“I’ve probably been down there about nine or 10 times. The track is massive and it’s enjoyable to drive on. I was lucky enough to get a winner last Tuesday week with Ajay Volstead (Volstead) for (Queensland trainer) Darren Weeks,” he said.

After bursting onto the scene as an enthusiastic 16-year-old in June 2019, Garrard has worked hard and strives for success.

In the past four seasons, he has topped the century and with 77 winners already this year, with still eight months to go in the season, he looks a moral to pass the magical ton again.

Official records show that in his relatively short career he has 757 victories and 1425 placings for a staggering $5.2 million in stakemoney.

“I’m not in with any really big stables. I just pick up drives with a lot of small trainers who continue to support me, which is nice,” Garrard said.

With the surname of Garrard, it was a given that Angus was going to join the harness racing ranks in line with a family involvement going back over 100 years.

Angus’ grand-dad Chris is a former trainer-driver and third generation horseman and the family’s involvement in the sport now extends to five generations.

A recipient of an Order of Australia Medal, he is well-known through his business interests as the founder of the Garrard’s Horse and Hound stores. In addition to being a key supplier to the industry the company is also a generous financial supporter through sponsorship.

“Grand-dad is going along pretty good at the moment,” Angus said.

“I guess I was always going to be involved in the sport because all I wanted to do was to drive. I remember long-reining an old pony out in the paddock when I was really young, then later I was in the Mini Pony Trot ranks.

“When I started race driving, it did take me three weeks to get that first winner, although I ran a heap of seconds. It has just snow-balled from there.”

Acknowledged within the industry as quiet-spoken and humble, Garrard showed talent at rugby and cricket when at school, but says his sporting interest now, outside of harness racing, is mainly social golf.

“I love having a hit when I can. I haven’t got a handicap, but I just enjoy going out with a few of the boys whenever we can.”

*As of early yesterday, Queenslanders held three of the four top places on the national drivers’ premiership. Nathan Dawson has recorded 78 wins; Garrard close on his heels with 77, with another ‘banana bender’ in Peter McMullen in fourth spot with 72. Wedged in between that trio was boom New South Wales reinsman Cam Hart with 73.

Others on the leaders’ board: Shannon Suvaljko (WA) 70, Ryan Hryhorec (SA) 65, Chris Alford (Vic) 63, Gary Hall Jnr (WA) 59, Jack Laugher (Vic) 56, Chris Voak (WA) 53, Greg Sugars (Vic) 52, James Herbertson (Vic) 52, Ellen Tormey (Vic) 51, Robert Morris (NSW) 51, Deni Roberts (WA) 49 and Mark Pitt (Vic) 47.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink