Four in a week keeps Cody on a roll

He’s not yet been competing in his chosen sport for a year, but young harness racing driver Cody Crossland is learning the ropes quickly and has hit a purple patch of form in the past week.

After debuting as a race driver in April last year, the 17-year-old has an impressive win-place strike rate of more than 50 per cent, recording 41 wins and 75 placings from 229 starts – four of the wins have come in the past week.

“I was always going to drive, and I love it. Just love going out there, the feel of the naughty ones and the ones that can run. And the speed,” Crossland said.

Crossland is a third-generation reinsman, following his mum Laura and grandparents Brian Crossland and Melinda Smith into race driving.

“It took me about 20 drives to get my first win, and that win on My Golden Eagle at Cranbourne has probably been the one I remember most, but they’re all special in their way,” he said.

“I keep to myself a fair bit and do my form by myself – and that’s what you like to be able to do, think about how it will all happen. But it can all change when you get out there and that’s part of what’s fun about it.”

For his mum Laura, one of the most satisfying victories came during the week, when Cody scored on her trotter Little Tedey (Peak DNK – Mother Nature (SJs Photo) at Maryborough.

Little Tedey was left in the death seat after beginning safely from barrier three, but Crossland showed composure to coax the final effort from the four-year-old to win by 1.4 metres.

“I think that was about Cody’s fifth win for me – I always stir him that he wins on everyone else’s horses and not mine,” Laura said.

“But he’s done pretty well all things considered because as well as Little Tedey, he’s had wins for me on Cool Rockin Daddy, Dessie Gee, and on Cody’s Colt, which was named after him,” she said.

“Little Tedey tends to be a bit naughty and a tricky horse to handle, and it’s the first time Cody’s driven him, so that was an extra good win.”

She said she’d now learnt to relax enough to enjoy watching Cody drive.

“I was fighting a losing battle if I ever thought of trying to encourage him into something else. Ever since he was a little kid, horses were all he was going to do,” she said

“He got into pony trots but gave that up before he turned 16 and he had to, because he said they weren’t fast enough anymore!

“I was absolutely shocking when he first started driving, but it’s better now, I’ve settled down a bit. You always worry though, you can’t help it, because it’s a dangerous sport.”

The Maryborough victory was part of a memorable week, with Cody also recording a win at Swan Hill on Thursday on Artizz (Gary Payne) and notching up a double at Gunbower on Sunday, on Tasma Flash (Michael Watt) and Hayjoshandco (David Farrar).

Cody works full time for Murchison trainer Shaun Kittel but is able to take driving engagements around the State. This week he was at Cranbourne on Monday, Mildura on Tuesday, Bendigo on Wednesday and Echuca on Thursday – no mean feat for a teenager who still doesn’t have a car licence.

Crossland said drivers such as Chris Alford and Greg Sugars were great role models, but his long-term goal is further afield.

“I’d love the chance to have a go in America, so that’s what I’m hoping long-term. Hopefully not too far off, though!”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink