Shane’s wild ride with Winkle little star

At least for the time being, Shane Smith's ride with Bernie Winkle is over, but he isn't making a fuss about it.

Rather, he's just thankful he got to experience a run of success that sits at the top of what he's achieved in harness racing.

The part-time trainer-driver, who has stables in Merbein, was in the cart for nine of Bernie Winkle's 10-win streak that captivated the industry from April through to September.

Upon the removal of borders that limited participants to region-based racing early this month, Smith lost the drive on Bernie Winkle to the experienced and well-credentialed Daryl Douglas, who has since scored a victory and a third-placing with the seven-year-old.

"I was probably lucky to have as long as I did," said Smith, who became the horse's regular reinsman when he joined trainer Geoff Lucas in April.

"I always knew it was going to happen as soon as the regional racing finished up. I think most guys in Mildura here that were doing a fair bit of driving realised it was all going to come to an end.

"You get the guys from down south coming up each week. Most guys understood they were going to take a back seat again."

Smith has always just treated harness racing as a hobby and only ever has a few in work while doing other jobs. He said the golden patch with Bernie Winkle was "by far" his career highlight.

"He's the fastest horse that I've ever driven," he said.

Tonight, as Richmond and Geelong battle it out in the AFL grand final, Smith will be on track at Mildura with one of his own pacers and to also take the reins behind Julie Douglas' four-year-old mare Elegant Jewel.

Thomas Heights hails from the Smith barn and while he hasn't won since July, his trainer has a nice element of confidence that he can figure in the money this evening.

"He's been going all right, just needs a bit of luck that's all," Smith, formerly of Broken Hill, said.

"I'd say he's a good each-way chance to tell you the truth."

Thomas Heights, a gelding by A Rocknroll Dance, came to Smith early this year winless from 12 starts, but won first-up for him in June and then scored again in July.

He has drawn barrier four in the Mallee Bearings Pace (1790m) and will likely go around at a nice price.

Win, lose or draw, Smith will then butter up with Elegant Jewel, who will come out of gate three in the Tenderprint Australia Pace (1790m).

"There's a couple of speedy ones, (but) she's probably a good place chance I reckon," Smith said of Douglas' charge.

The first of 11 races at Mildura is set to go at 5.20pm, with the last scheduled for 10.48pm.

HRV – Tim O'Connor