Blake has the drive

For the past few seasons Young-based  harness racing reinsman Blake Micallef has not been afraid to clock up plenty of miles to take drives for the many trainers that utilise his services.

It is quite common to see the 23-year-old driving at as many as four meetings in a week, from the border city of Albury to metropolitan racing at Tabcorp Park Menangle on a Saturday and anywhere in between.

Micallef’s willingness to take the vast number of drives that he does has resulted in him surging towards 200 career wins – the 2021 season being his most successful to date when he recorded 74 victories.

With four months remaining in the current season, barring any setbacks it seems highly probable that Micallef will surpass his 2021 score as he is currently sitting on 55 wins.

“I am really happy with how well things are tracking along this year,” said Micallef.

“At the start of every season I set myself goals, the most challenging one being to drive more winners than that of the previous year.

“If I keep gaining the opportunities that I have had thus far, I feel confident that I can reach the goal again this season.

“I am fortunate that I live in a central location to a number of tracks. Young sits on the border of the Western District and the Riverina so it is not too far to travel in either direction.”

Micallef does the majority of his driving for his father David who is also having a successful season.

Micallef believes that the hard work that all of his family members put in behind the scenes and the fact that they turn over horses to get the best out of them are the main contributors to their stable’s success.

“It really is a family business out home. Dad is the trainer and I do majority of the driving. But we would not be able to do it all without everyone chipping in,” he said.

“My mother Rach, partner Mel, brother Luke and his partner Anita all work hard around the stables.

“We do try and buy well graded horse that suit Dad’s training style. He is so good at getting the best out of them.”

Micallef will travel to Bathurst on Wednesday night (Aug. 24) where he has four drives, his best appearing to be Onetwo Threecheese in race seven.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW