Olivia Thornley makes her training debut today

West Melton harness racing trainer Olivia Thornley, who is a successful junior driver in her own right, will be presenting her first horse to the races at Addington today as a trainer.

Thornley has tasted great success as a driver with 71 wins including two Group 1 victories, and recently finished third in the New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship. She currently sits seventh overall in the Junior Drivers’ premiership this season with 16 wins.

“Driving at the moment is the key for me, but training will be something I’ll want to get more heavily into in the future. So it’s nice to just have one or two to work on,” said Thornley.

Thornley lines up Starstruck (Volstead) ($18.00FF) in Race 3 today the Dancinginthedark M (USA) 2YO Mobile Trot over 1980m.

“She’s a two-year-old trotter on debut – so you never know what’s going to happen.”

Starstruck has had several trials leading into today. Thornley just hopes the Volstead filly can bring her good manners to race day.

“She’s improved from her first trial to her most recent one, so the only thing I want is for her to do everything right and to have a good experience.”

Starstruck is out of Monarchy mare Starlight Express who was bred by the Thornleys and is now owned by Thornley and her mother Jackie.

“My mother and I bred her while the breed itself has been in the family for quite a few generations.”

Hot favourite in Starstruck’s race is the Greg and Nina Hope-trained Odina ($1.65). She broke on debut last week but showed plenty of ability at the trials before that while Kyle Cameron lines up debutant Natives Cullerdamoon ($12.00FF) who is sure to catch the attention of horse enthusiasts with her unique markings – not to mention she has won her previous two workouts and will be over value.

Thornley has one other steer today on the Alan Beecroft trained Prides Contessa ($61.00FF) in Race 4, the Betavet Mobile Pace over 1980m.

Racing commences from 4:46pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand