Youngster produces winning formula with distinction

Science, mathematics and physics might occupy the working hours of Victorian harness racing reinswoman Lauren White, but she freely admits her horses are more often than not at the forefront of her mind as well.

White, an honors student in science at La Trobe University, captured one of the most lucrative wins of her short driving career at Maryborough on Friday (May 10), expertly handling Swizzlestick (A Rocknroll Dance) in the $10,000 Growth Accounting Solutions Pace.

“It was my first drive on him and my first for Justin (Horsham trainer Justin Lane), but many years ago when he worked in Bendigo, he kept his horses at the property of my grandfather Bill White, so he’s been a friend of the family,” she said.

“It was a concession drivers’ event and Justin asked me to drive Swizzlestick, so it was really great to get the win for him.”

White, 21, the daughter of Victorian Square Trotters Association secretary Ian White, is “at least fourth, possibly fifth” generation in the sport and now has seven wins to her name since getting her driver’s licence last season.

“My father drives and my grandfather still trains and I’ve helped train the horses for years. We’ve got four or five in work at the moment – Dad has kept the numbers up more since I got my license to give me more opportunities,” White said.

“It was probably a given that I was going to get my driver’s license at some stage, but I was always a bit nervous.  The thing that always put me off was the chance of getting caught on a bad puller, just the strength of the animal,” she said.

“But actually, now that’s what I find such a thrill, just the power of the horses and going out there and going fast!”

White drove Swizzlestick (barrier 9) perfectly to Lane’s instructions – but, except at the end, the race didn’t pan out as either had hoped or planned.

“The idea was to follow the two through, get a position and try to come at them with one run late,” White said.

Shuffled back by early race and mid race moves, at the 600-metre mark Swizzlestick was a clear last. But White didn’t panic, taking a three wide trail, then easing her runner wider onto the track to finish too hard, scoring by a short half-head.

View the results and replays by clicking here.

White, who scored her breakthrough first win at just her second race drive in December last year, said she had been encouraged by the advice and mentoring of several senior drivers during her 50 starts.

“Someone told me race driving is like when you get your car driver’s license – at first, you’re driving just your own car and you’re aware of the car in front of you.  Then as you get more experience, you’re watching two and three cars in front and the others around you as well, and anticipating what’s happening,” she said.

“I’m probably still just driving my horse and watching the one in front of me at this stage!  But I’m feeling more aware and confident with every drive, and I’ve definitely been helped by some good advice from a few drivers.

“Nathan Jack in particular has been great at giving me some pointers – just those little things he is thinking about in a race that I’m probably not thinking about yet.

“I’m absolutely loving what I’m doing, and I always want to keep doing it.  I would love to be able to make it a career, but realistically it will probably be just a hobby.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink