Harness racing retirees set Grace on winning path

Shepparton reinswoman Grace Bilney looked a natural securing her first winning drive in the sport at Bendigo recently, but a career path in harness racing was never on her radar until she met a grumpy and “pretty lazy” retired standardbred called “Jasper”.

“I didn’t have any family or experience in harness racing at all, but I ride, and I was looking for a bigger horse. A local trainer gave me Village Deputy (Village Jasper) to try,” Grace said.

“I just fell in love with the breed. They are always willing to try anything especially when you’re riding them, and they make sure they keep you safe.  And they also have that huge personality – they’re amazing animals.”

Wanting to find out more about the breed, while she was still at school Grace started jogging horses and helping Stacey Towers, who also gave her a retiree to ride, 13-times winner Gooday Stride (Art Major), stable name “Cruze”.

“I also did some work filling in with Craig and Abbey Turnbull when Craig was sick, and in the school holidays, and also doing some work with Steve and Anne O’Donoghue,” Grace said.

“Then when I finished year 12 in 2019, Craig and Abbey offered me a full-time job and I’ve been there ever since.  In June this year Luke Bryant also needed a hand at his place, and he helped me get my licence and got me to the races in September.”

Grace scored her first win at Bendigo (Nov 30) on Well Thats Alright (Caribbean Blaster), at just her 18^th start – then her second with a front-running success only two drives later, on another Bryant-trained runner Keayang Alex (Roll With Joe).

“I got pretty lucky with that first win.  He came out of the gate okay, but we ended up three back on the fence and I didn’t think we were going to get out.  Around the corner the horse was feeling pretty strong, and then the gap opened up and he was good enough to finish it off,” she said.

“Chris Alford was the first one to realise it was my first win and to congratulate me, which was nice.  Most of the drivers are really helpful – they congratulate you if you’ve done well and give you feedback afterwards, which is great.

“Ellen Tormey has been mentoring me along the journey too which has been really helpful.  She’s been great to me.”

Grace said she found the step up to competitive driving a big transition.

“I think it took me about 10 or so drives to settle in and get the hang of race driving to the point of feeling comfortable,” she said.

“It’s quite different to doing your trial drives where people don’t put any pressure on you, and you have plenty of room.  You notice a big difference when you get to the races but I’m absolutely loving it. I just want to keep driving and getting more experience and hopefully I can start to get some outside drives as well.”

Grace said her family weren’t trackside for the win but watched the race.

“They would have been cheering! We didn’t have any family background in the sport, so mum wasn’t too sure about it as a career path at the start, thinking it might be better to keep it as a hobby.  But I think she’s warmed up to the idea now!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink