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Horsham plays host to the 33rd Decron Horse Care Noel Smith Memorial Invitation Drivers Championship on Monday afternoon, highlight of an eight-race card of harness racing action at the Racing Centre.
Bendigo based reinsman Jack Laugher returns to defend the crown he won in the March ’22 edition of the time-honoured series.
We caught up with Jack as he headed up to the Sunraysia for the final two nights of the Mildura Cup Carnival and asked him to reflect on his achievements over the past year.
“The biggest highlight would have to be the win with Captain Bellasario in the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series Final for trainer Jane Davies and owner/breeders, the Munnerley family,” he said.
The victory on New Years Eve at Melton capped off Laugher’s 2022 season and saw him finish in 5th spot on the Victorian drivers tally board with 186 winners, 18 of which were at harness headquarters.
He made the move from Tasmania in 2018 intending to spend a year or so on this side of Bass Straight to develop his skills before heading home but such has been his success that a return hasn’t eventuated.
GETTING TO KNOW JACK LAUGHER:
Age 24 Drives 5,042 Wins 648 Placings 1,337
Your greatest strength ?
I don’t need much sleep.
Weakness ?
I get angry when I’m tired.
A question you hate being asked ?
How do you say your name.
Strangest thing ever eaten ?
I’m not game enough to try anything out of the ordinary.
Anywhere in the world for 10 days, your call ?
Canada
Your heroes ?
My parents.
Your guilty pleasures in food and drink ?
KFC and CC & Dry.
Favourite reads, watches and listens ?
Daily Mail (news), The Harder They Fall (movie), Any sort of music
Last time you worked out, ran or exercised ?
Haven’t been to the gym for six years and the only time I run is when I’m late.
Bad habit ?
Too many to tell.
If you worked in the circus, what role would you have ?
Selling popcorn out front.
If you could bring someone famous back to life, who would it be ?
Steve Irwin.
Guests you’d like to have over for dinner ?
I’d have to say my travel mates, Ryan (Sanderson), Jordan (Leedham), Michelle (Phillips) and Ellen (Tormey).
Jack has a busy schedule before heading to Horsham for Monday’s Invitational – with nine drives at Mildura on Friday night, nine on Saturday and four at Cranbourne on Sunday night.
He’ll be joined by fellow Victorians Chris Alford, Kerryn Manning, Ellen Tormey, Ryan Sanderson, John Justice, Jason Lee, John Caldow, Anthony Butt and Michael Bellman in four heats, with the winner decided on total points from each drive.
by Tony Logan
