Ben ready to go again after scary chainsaw accident

Up-and-coming young harness racing driver Ben Xiriha is hoping to be back in the sulky this week after a recent run-in with a chainsaw.

Xiriha supports his love for harness racing with a firewood business and it was during this work that the accident occurred.

“I have a business where I sell firewood all year round and have a few guys working for me,” Xiriha said.

“I was cutting firewood out in a property in Ashbourne, just outside of Woodend, when the chainsaw kicked back and got me in the face, just missing my eye about a centimetre.

“The accident resulted in a deep cut from above the eyebrow straight through until about my eye.”

Xiriha required surgery and spent a few days in hospital, but is not letting the setback deter him from reaching new heights this season.

The 21-year-old drove 13 winners in his debut campaign of 2023 and has three so far in 2024.

“I’m hoping to be back driving horses this Thursday, but I need to get passed first,” he said.

Outside of his business venture and driving in races, Xiriha keeps himself busy within the harness racing industry.

“I help out Chris Svanosio on Tuesday and Thursday mornings,” he said.

“I also have a horse of my own (Wow You Can Dance) that Dad (Tony) and Wally Toczynski do 99 per cent of the work with.

“I hope to just keep driving as much as I can and get to 50 winners by the end of the season. I also want to drive a metro winner.”

by Bronte Nieuwenburg, for Harness Racing Victoria