Jimmy Locke in career best form

Canberra-based junior harness racing reinsman Jimmy Locke is currently driving in career-best form.

Locke has been giving himself every opportunity to achieve good results, travelling long distances to compete at race meetings for various stables keen to have him drive for them.

When not at the races the 18-year-old applies his trade as a farrier, serving clients throughout the nation’s capital and in his spare time, helps his grandfather Steven Lee with his team of horses.

In the past month, Locke has recorded some of his biggest wins, including landing his first metropolitan victory at Club Menangle, which was closely followed by a feature win at Bathurst last Saturday night when he combined with Cowra trainer Anne O’Çonnor to take out the $20,000 Honoree Stakes final with Joetomo.

“Things are going great for me,” said Locke.

“I am doing plenty of travelling at the moment, but it has been all worth it, gaining experience and picking up some handy wins along the way.

“I have been driving for some astute trainers, who have shown faith in me to get the job done for them.

“Between driving, and training and working as farrier, I do not get a lot of time to myself.

“But I would not trade doing all of this for anything else.”

Locke will hit the road again and make his way to Penrith tonight (Mar. 30) where he has just one drive, in Race 5 aboard Uncle Jay (Art Major) for Menangle Park-based trainer Mark Lefoe.

After drawing wide in gate six, both Locke and the veteran 11-year-old will have their work cut out.

But with a drop in class on the gelding’s side he is capable of overcoming the adversity.

“He is a solid old horse that has won 18 races and has run a stack of minor placings,” said Locke.

“His past few runs have been really strong and if we were able to snare some luck from out wide and lob into a handy spot, I think he will be right in the mix.

“Mark has done a great job to have him sound and still racing in good form.

“If he were able to win it would make the trip up to Penrith well worthwhile.”

Consistent mare Shirley Bromac is on a quick back-up from racing at Bankstown on Monday afternoon but looks to be the value bet in the final event tonight.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW