Early first win for young Victorian driver

There’s a lot said about the affinity harness racing drivers have with the horses they handle – and there was an unmistakable connection between young Victorian reinswoman Tasmyn Potter and her first career winner at Bendigo last Thursday night (Mar 9).

All So Sassy (Shadow Play) scored an effortless win for Potter at only the fourth drive of her career in the Simonds Homes Bendigo Pace.

To view the race results, click here.

The pacer, prepared by Kilmore trainer Conor Crook, but owned and bred by Tasmyn’s father and respected horseman Wayne, was always a bit special, according to Tasmyn.

“I did a lot with her when she was little – I used to give her a hose and brush her when she was still on her mum. She was one of my favorites and I drove her at home and once at the trials,” Tasmyn said.

“Dad still owns her, so Conor put me on and I knew at the top of the straight she would hang in there. It was a long last lap, but turning for home she still felt very strong,” she said.

Tasmyn’s maiden win came after a runner up performance at her third drive behind a horse trained by her dad, Itzmineontheline at Shepparton two nights previous.

“I had hoped my first win wouldn’t take too long, but after my first two drives, when I finished last and second-last, I thought it might take a bit longer than I’d hoped!” she joked.

Potter showed plenty of confidence to ping All So Sassy from the mobile, crossing comfortably to the lead. The 21-year-old rated the horse to perfection in quarters of 30.9, 30.5, 29.2 and 29.5 to return a mile rate of 1:59.2.

All So Sassy is out of Sassy Seelster (Falcon Seelster) and a half sister to Sammy Seelster (Gotta Go Cullect) who won 15 races and Little Bit Sassy (Grinfromeartoear) who won eight.  She’s a full sister to Ima Sassy Girl (five wins).

Tasmyn admits a driving career wasn’t always on her radar, but she was encouraged to get her licence by her former employer Andy Gath.

“I worked for Andy and Kate for two years after I finished school, and Andy always pushed me hard to get my licence.  He was the first one to meet me when I came off the track after the win, which was nice,” she said.

Tasmyn has now returned home to help her dad with his team of around 20 horses at their Avenel property.

“I always had an interest in the horses because dad’s always trained and bred them.  I was born into it, I guess,” she said.

“All I ever really wanted to be is a vet, and when I finished school I did get accepted into Equine Science Uni, which is an entry point to Veterinary Science,” she said.

“But I took a gap year, and I haven’t actually got back to that!  It still might happen, but for the moment I am loving what I am doing and hoping I can make it as a driver.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink