Grace ready to go to battle for a good cause

Grace Panella is one of the emerging stars among the plethora of talented young drivers in harness racing around New South Wales.

Based in the Hunter Valley and working for leading Cessnock trainer Clayton Harmey, Panella has already reached some significant milestones in her short career.

The 20-year-old was acknowledged for her achievements earlier this year when she was chosen to represent New South Wales, alongside Cameron Hart at the Australian Drivers Championship in Adelaide, where she drove one of the heat winners.

Adding to that recognition, Harness Racing New South Wales has included Panella among the 10 drivers who will head to Eugowra on Anzac Day to take place in a star-studded Drivers Invitational series on what will be a special fund-raising race day for the Mates 4 Harness Flood Relief 23.

For Panella, her selection in the race series is an acknowledgement that makes her feeling very humbled and she says that while it is personally heart-warming to be a part of, she is taking the contest seriously and would be “over the moon” should she be able to take it out.

“I am going to Eugowra to have a red-hot crack at winning the series,” she said.

“And I know that the other drivers contesting the race are just as keen.

“But for me, this is a unique opportunity to mix it with the best in the business and it would be a personal achievement and a real buzz to come out on top. 

“We have been fortunate enough from day one to have been involved in the fundraising the harness racing fraternity has undertaken for the flood victims.

“This is now a great honour for Blake (Hughes) and me to be heading to Eugowra, not only to compete but to show our support and meet those people who had their lives turned upside down back in November.”

Hughes echoed the sentiments of his partner and is equally keen to do well in the series.

Ironically, three of their four drives will be aboard horses trained by the sole Eugowra trainer Grant Jones, whose family were particularly affected by the devastation in November.

This evening the talented Hunter Valley couple have a busy night at Newcastle, Grace with seven drives and Blake with nine on a solid program.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW