Billinger bows out with a blast

Champion South Australian harness racing reinsman Mark Billinger has bowed out on a high.

The 49-year-old confirmed his retirement after Saturday Night’s Southern Cross series finals night at Globe Derby Park in Adelaide, adding another notable milestone to his resume in the process.

Billinger recorded a further three Southern Cross series victories, bringing his career total to 21 Sires Stakes final victories.

“Over the years there have been 10 two-year-olds, eight three-year-olds, and two four-year-olds, back when we used to have them,” Billinger said.

“Last night I got a two-year-old trot sires win for the first time, though, so it was nice to get that and to go out on a good note with the others as well,” he said.

Billinger was victorious on Mercenary (Majestic Son – Imitating (Bettors Delight) for Kelvin Barker in the 2YO Trotters Southern Cross Final; Encipher (Captaintreacherous – Our Cavort (Falcon Seelster) for Emma Stewart in the 2YO Pacing Fillies Southern Cross Final; and Treachery (Captaintreacherous – Lovelist (Always A Virgin), in the 3YO Pacing Fillies Southern Cross Final, again for Emma Stewart.

Billinger has been a star at Globe Derby over the past two Saturday night meetings, his Saturday night haul adding to five victories on the previous weekend (for the second time in his career).

“It makes a huge difference when the horses have got big motors. There’s a buzz sitting on very good horses when they go like rockets, and it’s been great to be on some very nice ones over the past two weeks,” Billinger said.

“I first started driving for Emma and Clayton Tonkin about six or seven years ago. They rang me to see if I’d drive a few for them at a Mt Gambier meeting. They actually flew me to the meeting, and I ended up getting three winners for them, including the Derby,” he said.

“That was the beginning of a very successful association and one I have really enjoyed and appreciated.”

Billinger, the son of the late Globe Derby trainer Val Billinger, began driving in pony trots and joined the senior drivers’ ranks as a 16-year-old.

He finishes his career with over 1200 wins but said since his father passed away, going to meetings wasn’t quite the same.

“Dad and I went everywhere, and I just haven’t quite got that same passion now,” he said.

“When I started out, South Australian harness racing was flying, and I was driving some terrific horses. The sport here was as good as anywhere, with trainers like John and Lance Justice, the Sugars team, Websters and Graham Johannsen all here.

“It’s hard for everyone now because you’re in the game to try to find a good horse – and when you get one it’s just not viable to keep it, you have to sell it or send it interstate.

“Like any sport, in harness racing driving I think you have to be 100 percent committed or you are not being fair to the trainers and owners, so that’s one of the reasons I’ve made the decision.”

Billinger said while he’d announced his retirement, a possible comeback was not off the table.

“I have met the new South Australian CEO and he is trying to put good things into place, and I hope with the new direction of the CEO and Board that there are much better times ahead in the sport,” he said.

“I guess from my perspective, I’m just looking forward to some freedom and to enjoy the Bay area where I live. Just to be able to go to a wedding or a birthday party on a Saturday night will be great – I haven’t been able to do that for 33 years!

“I’ve booked a couple of short holidays to Hawaii and Thailand, and I’ll hope to spend the winter in Thailand as well, catching up with friends and some business interests there.

“I’ve retired, but you never say never. I will admit that I’m hanging onto my race bike for at least six months!”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink