From near miss to milestone win

After coming heartbreakingly close earlier in the night, new Queensland harness racing driver Tamara Battle had to wait only an hour to turn it all around and live the unforgettable thrill of her first victory in the sulky.

In just her sixth race drive, the 32-year-old showed poise and composure to guide $3.80 equal favourite Beyond Doubt (Washington VC) to victory in the $6200 Valentine Bloodstock Insurance Pace at Redcliffe last Friday night (August 1).

Just two races earlier, she’d been narrowly denied victory when Miss Serendipity was pipped by a half head, with Heavens Baby (Hurrikane Kingcole), driven by Chloe Butler, taking the spoils.

“My husband Ben and I have two boys, Cooper aged one and Bailey, who is three. After that race, when I was jogging back, Bailey was standing up on the steps nearby yelling out to me that I’d got beaten!” Tamara laughed.

“But to get the win two races later was so good. It felt amazing. The only disappointing part was that we couldn’t have any celebrations because we got home too late,” she said.

The pacer who delivered Tamara’s milestone moment, Beyond Doubt, was having his first Australian start.  The gelding was purchased by Battle stable owner Sonny Grebe soon after his maiden victory at New Zealand’s Ascot Park.

From the wide barrier six, Tamara settled him early before working three-wide to sit outside the leader, Major Ark. Asked for an effort at the 400-metre mark, Beyond Doubt sprinted strongly to win in a mile rate of 1:58.3.

“The plan was to go forward on him and his effort was great after doing it tough. He sprinted well when I let him down,” Tamara said.

“Sonny has an agent over there who keeps an eye out for suitable horses. He doesn’t mind investing in Kiwi stock and loves the sport,” she said.

“We’ve got a bit of an opinion of Beyond Doubt and think he’s got a bright future. He raced a little green and wasn’t steering all that well, but Ben has a few gear changes in mind.”

Originally from Orange in New South Wales, Tamara had no background with horses before meeting Ben.

“I was working in the construction and mining industries. Now I just love being involved in harness racing, but the last five years have been hard with Ben and I setting up our property at Mutdapilly,” she said.

Mutdapilly, near Ipswich, is a village around 60 kilometres southwest of Brisbane. The couple’s 116-acre property has undergone a significant transformation.

“When we moved in, it only had a 16-horse barn. We’ve since added a sand jog track and an 800-metre circuit for fast work. It’s been a lot of hard work, but we’re getting there,” she said.

They now have a team of 25 in work, while Ben also breaks in around 30 more each season. He’s been a key influence on Tamara’s driving journey.

“Ben encouraged me to get my driver’s licence. He told me I was already driving them at home, so I may as well drive them at the races,” she said.

“My parents also live on the property now. They absolutely love the horses, although Mum gets a bit nervy when I’m racing!

“I get a five-point concession and, with Ben having a really good eye for form, hopefully I can keep the winners coming.”

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink