By George! He’s done it!

It didn’t take young Victorian reinsman George Chamouras too long to realise a baker’s apprenticeship and harness racing driving weren’t particularly compatible – and the ledger came down on the side of the trots!

The concessional reinsman scored his first win as a driver for his employer Julie Douglas at Bendigo last week (Sept 20), seven months after giving up the baking trade and going full time with the horses.

“It was actually on the day of my first shift at the bakery that I had my first drive – so I was up at 2am, worked 12 hours, then went to the trots to drive that night,” Chamouras said.

“I remember standing up on that grassed corner at Echuca and thinking ‘that’s what I’ve got to do, I’ve got to be a driver’ – just the adrenalin of it, and the love of the animal.  So really that’s when I decided to give it a crack,” he said.

GEORGE CHAMOURAS FIRST WIN REPLAY

Eighteen-year-old George is the son of long-time trainers Peter Chamouras and Lisa Hardy and has been involved in the sport “probably since I was born”.

He did three years in the pony trots, but the fire was lit to get his reinsman’s ticket when older brother Corey Bell began driving.

“Once I decided to give it a go, mum and dad didn’t have enough horses to keep me busy as well, so I started looking for a stable to work for,” George said.

“I saw Julie and Glenn’s ad for a stablehand on the Saturday and rang up. They got in touch with me on the Tuesday to let me know I had the job,” he said.

“It’s been fantastic there.  Glenn and Julie and (Glenn’s brother) Daryl really teach you a lot, not just about driving, but horses too.  Mum and dad taught me a lot early days, but I’m learning things I didn’t know every day.  I think the day I stop learning will be the day I give it up!

“I think I’ve had about 10 drives for the stable, and I work full time for them.  I understand that they can’t put you on horses every day of the week, but I’m happy to whack away and get on and do my best with whatever opportunities come my way.”

Prior to his win, Chamouras had gone close on several occasions, including for trainers Greg Fleming and Michael Mannix.

“They’ve been great in giving me opportunities which I am grateful for. Mum works for Greg and his foreman David Moran, and I’ve run most of my placings on Greg’s horses.  He’s been terrific in letting me drive some nice horses like Daylight at Dawn and The Last Chance,” he said.

Chamouras recorded his maiden win on four-year-old mare Didshedoit (Terror To Love) in a race programmed for concessional drivers with fewer than 10 career wins. The horse is raced by Julie Douglas’ parents, Eric and Heather Anderson with the win being the pacer’s third from 13 starts since being purchased from New Zealand.

Chamouras guided Didshedoit to the front after the leaving the gate nicely and was content to hand up and sat patiently behind Mister Nien (Ewa Justice) before shooting up the sprintlane to win comfortably.

“I thought before the race that she was a very good chance, but as the race got closer the nerves kicked in a bit, because she can do some things wrong in the score up at times,” he said.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it when I got over the line.  It was a great feeling.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink