16yo finds “touch” with the horses

Up and coming teenage harness racing driver Jack Buckman had his dreams set on trying to make a go of it in country rugby league while attending school.

“My ‘grampy’ Wayne was pretty good at it and I liked the idea,” Buckman said.

“He went over to New Zealand with a squad, but I don’t think he ended up playing. However another time he did get picked and played against an England representative team,” he said.

“It was probably when I was doing Year 8 that my love for rugby switched to horses and I’ve been mad on them ever since. When I was growing up, there would always be a horse around and I started off in pony club, then went on to show jumping and now harness racing.”

At just 16 years old, Buckman is now showing the skills and cool head of someone way beyond his years. From 34 race drives, he’s landed three winners, five second placings and one third.”

“I started doing my trial drives when I was 15 and had to do 21. I was determined to have everything all done and cleared up ready for when I turned 16 in October and was allowed to drive at the races,” he said.

“My first drive was a bit of a shocker, but then I had another five drives in my first season. It was a learning curve because I found it pretty hard to start off. A split-second decision can mean you could win or end up out the back,” he said.

Buckman landed his first win on bay gelding Always Bopping (A Rocknroll Dance) on April 10 this year. The pacer, prepared by his uncle Jarred Hetherington, is raced by enthusiastic owners Wayne and Julie Loader.

“It was exciting because there was a big build-up beforehand,” he said.

Buckman said he’d grown in confidence this season, which had been assisted by working and living at Bathurst with astute trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt and his wife Cath.

“They have been awesome along with their son Doug. Then there’s Chris Frisby, uncle Jarred, Josh and Jason Turnbull and a lot of others.

“I often have to grab a ride with someone to get to a meeting because I haven’t got my licence yet, but everyone just goes out of their way to help. I’m just enjoying it so much,” he said.

“My family is in Tamworth, but they give me lots of support and get to meetings to watch me when they can. My mum Neisha, Nan and Pop and my sister Lucy were there cheering me on last week when I won with Tom The Curious (Bathurst).

“Then two days ago, my dad Chris saw me win again at Bathurst on the same horse. I’m very privileged the owners Wayne and Julie (Loader) let me take the reins.”

Buckman is engaged to drive at tonight’s (Jul. 22) Dubbo meeting. He will handle Sammi Dance (A Rocknroll Dance), trained by Jarred Hetherington, rated a $13 chance in race four.

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