Driving’s a dream for Hannah

A deep connection with a special horse has given Hannah Lewis her start to a career as a harness racing driver.

The 20-year-old had her first race in the sulky at Geelong last week when she partnered the Emmett and Richard Brosnan-trained His Dream Lives On (Four Starzzz Shark) to a third placing in the Harvey Norman Corio Pace.

As expected, there was a “very, very big group” of family and friends there to cheer her on, as well as the horse’s owners, Greg and Andrew McCallum.

Greg’s son and Andrew’s brother Steve bred the horse, but sadly passed away from cancer before the brown gelding ever made it to the races. Eventually, the Brosnans were asked to train the pacer and he has gone on to win six races – including one during a stint in Tasmania – from 87 starts since his debut in 2019.

Lewis said His Dream Lives On had played a major part in her progression through the ranks to becoming a fully-fledged driver.

“Going from driving in trials to the races, it was a very big thrill. And especially with that horse, knowing his background,” Lewis said.

“It was really nice to have Greg and Andrew there cheering him on for (Steve), and being able to have that opportunity to drive a horse that means so much to them was really, really cool.

“He kind of taught me everything at the trials and if I could get a win on him, it would be really special.”

Lewis began the journey into harness racing through a connection with Emmett Brosnan, who offered her a job at his Meredith stable. Before long, the horse-mad youngster with a background in show riding and eventing was in the cart and on the path to becoming a reinswoman.

“It’s pretty cool to see how far it’s come,” said Lewis, who long held dreams of being a jockey.

“I definitely want to give race driving a real good go and I like working with the young ones out at Emmett’s, so maybe in the future I might have a go at training.”

Lewis will team up with His Dream Lives On at Melton on Thursday and will also be at the controls of stablemate Imagination Oro when he goes around in the Isuzu Ute Ballarat Pace at Ballarat this evening.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tim O’Connor, for HRV