“It felt like the home straight was never-ending”

Tasmania’s newest harness racing driver Mitch Ford didn’t have to wait long to record his first winning drive in Hobart on Sunday, it came at only his second race drive, which was 40 minutes after his first drive in a race.

Ford, 17, partnered $3.20 favourite Coolhand Easton for Bianca Heenan, life partner of Mitch’s brother Nathan, to victory in the Elgas Pace.

From gate one, young Ford was able to hold the lead on the gelded son of Washington Vc, and they bowled along in a lead time of 34.9s before quarters of 30.3s, 30.3s, 29.1s and 30.3s to get home by a head over Northview Dave, who rattled home along the sprint lane.

“Soon as I held the front, I was pretty confident he would go close,” Mitch said.

“It felt like the home straight was never-ending when Northview Dave started making ground along the inside,” added the winning driver post-race.

Harness racing has been in the blood of Mitch for many years, already being a participant with the mini trotters before progressing further into the industry.

“Ever since I was a kid I have loved the horses, I have just loved working with them, and they have been like a best friend to me,” said Mitch.

The main interest for Mitch to get involved in the first place was through family involvement of his father and former leading driver Scott Ford and Mitch’s brother Nathan Ford.

“I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for the support of my family,” Mitch said.

Mitch has already had a stint in Victoria, learning from some of the nations most respected participants.

“I just wanted to better myself a bit and get away from home and learn a bit more, and I must say a big thank you to Andy and Kate Gath and their team of staff who have played a big part for the six months I was in Victoria,” explained Mitch.

Mitch is currently helping out trainers Bianca Heenan and his aunty Tammy Langley.

Dylan Ford, Mitch’s cousin, ended the Hobart card with a driving double when scoring in the final two races.

Abs Boy ($7.50) led all the way to score in the TFUA Pace before Say A Prayer scored a last stride win in the Clubs Tasmania Pace.

The Morrisons and Mathew family’s had a great night out with the ownership combination landing a race to race double with Hez Razor Sharp ($5.00) and Hez The One ($26), the duo landing the first two legs of a training table for trainer Ben Yole who scored with Montana Lad later in the night.

By Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing