Hard work paying off for Jake Davis

Early mornings and late nights are a reality for people in the harness racing industry as they prepare and race their horses.

But for Browns Creek’s Jake Davis his early start to the day is not just to tend to his small team of pacers.

The trainer-driver, who is located near the central west town of Blayney, also works with his family operating a large dairy farming operation and the young horseman can only be admired for his dedication.

Davis divides his time between the farm and the horses and a normal day for him kicks off at 2:45am and depending on where he chooses to race his team, he can be on the road, travelling home from a race meeting beyond midnight, meaning he has literally worked around the clock.

Admittedly, Davis finds time to take a nap, particularly when he is engaged at a night race meeting, something that he says gets him through.

“Some days can be massive,” said Davis.

“But I do have the routine pretty well down pat these days, balancing my work with the horses and at the dairy quite well.

“This has been normal life for my family for such a long time and we all pitch in and somehow manage to get through the workload.

“Obviously it is something I could not do alone, harness racing is such a great hobby to have, and I love it.”

A talented junior footballer growing up, Davis was forced to cast his dream of playing in the NRL aside after being riddled with knee injuries, deciding then to focus his interest on harness racing.

And last Wednesday night at Bathurst when driving Vamos (American Ideal), the 30-year-old brought up his 100th winner in the sulky, justifying his decision to make the sport his hobby.

Trained by his uncle Brett, Vamos was afforded a beautiful run in transit by Jake, which enabled the gelding to run away for a comfortable victory.

“It is pretty cool for me to bring up the century,” said Davis.

“When I was playing footy, I knocked around with the horses and would have the odd drive here and there, but I now drive most weeks, which is great.” 

Davis is aboard Rainbow Titan (Grinfromeartoear) in the opening race at Bathurst tonight and after drawing well in gate three appears to be a strong winning chance.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW