Kiara back doing what she loves – and winning

Chirpy West Australian harness racing trainer Kiara Davies will not only be a sentimental favorite, but she has a red-hot chance of capturing her first Group victory as a trainer on Friday night.

The 31-year-old, who has recently returned to training after winning a seven-month battle with breast cancer, has her sights set on a big scalp in the $50,000 Group Two Binshaw Classic at Gloucester Park. See fields here.

“I’m not sure who I’ll be barracking for – I’ve got Medieval Man and my partner Michael (Young) has Vespa in the race,” Davies said.

“It’s the first time either of us have ever been in a Group race as trainers — and the two horses are my favorites in our 15-team stable.”

Davies has previously had outstanding success as a driver, with more than 100 winners to her name, including Sunnies Little Whiz in a Group One Trotters Cup for trainer Barry Howlett.

“There’s probably no chance that I’ll ever drive in races again though because I still do get weak and really don’t think I’m strong enough,” she said.

“But I’m all good now health-wise and in the clear. The horses are giving me something different to think about and I’m loving it.”

Davies worked as a barista in a coffee shop, then at an accounting firm before finding her way into harness racing.

The Davies-Young team is based at Mundijong, an outer suburb of Perth, situated nearly an hour from Gloucester Park.

Medieval Man (Renaissance Man-Crimsonandclova (Bettors Delight) is raced by Davies along with her father Graeme (who bred the pacer) and Kiara’s elder sister Patrice.

The gelding has been in super form, winning at his past two Perth outings.

“He’s not a big horse at all, but finds plenty of heart and suits my driver Emily Suvaljko very well,” she said.

“We have two tracks at home. One is a heavy sand track and all of our horses do canter work on it. We work them reasonably hard, but they also get fed really well. Medieval Man loves it and enjoys bowling around.

“He’s a lovely horse now, and no-one would probably believe that as a baby he was a real pig. Now with 12 wins he’s close to earning $100,000. That’s a bit nerve-wracking, but so exciting.”

Kiara’s partner Michael Young is enjoying a fine season with 23 wins and 31 placings, with his runners finishing in the top three placings over 52 per cent of the time.

Young has Vespa (Mach Three-Gemside (In The Pocket) scooting along well since being entrusted with the gelding earlier this year.

The pacer has recorded four wins and seven placings at Gloucester Park, along with a victory in the $14,000 Williams Cup in March.

“Emily’s dad in Shannon has been driving him and they have been doing well. Vespa is a beautiful horse,” Davies said.

Prior to preparing Medieval Man for his four starts this campaign, Davies’ previous winner was at Pinjarra on March 2 of last year — coincidentally with Medieval Man.

“It was three weeks before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I just kept my trainer’s licence while I was sick and it’s a great feeling to be back!” she said.

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink