McElhinney proves he’s still got it

Veteran Sydney reinsman Glenn McElhinney has been making a regular trip to Newcastle in recent weeks where he has had healthy books of harness racing drives.

McElhinney, who has been driving for more than four decades, is recognised as one of the state’s best and consistent drivers, highly respected by his peers.

The 63-year-old reinsman, better known as ‘The Gmac’, does not drive as regularly as when he was amongst the best of his craft in the halcyon days of Harold Park, but still has the competitive drive and enjoys nothing more than to link up with the younger trainers of the modern era.

Tonight (Jul. 28), McElhinney will take the reins behind five pacers for leading Hunter Valley trainer Clayton Harmey while his remaining drive is aboard Valiant Charger which is trained by 24-year-old Lily Hosking.

“The game has continued to evolve and has done so in many different ways during my long involvement,” said McElhinney.

“The horses are bred to be stronger and faster, the races are run much faster, with the speed on pretty much from start to finish.

“Tactically the racing pattern has changed from the days when you could rate the horses differently in the run, so you just have to move with the times if you want to continue driving.

“I still enjoy being out there competing against the up-and-coming stars. There are so many talented young drivers in Sydney, but I would like to think that I can still mix it with them.”

While he rates most of them a realistic chance, of the five drives McElhinney has for Harmey, he has pinned his best hopes of landing a winner with Next To Me (race 3) in the Wolf Blass sponsored Waratah Heat.

Drawn one off the second line, the former New Zealand gelding appears likely to gain a suitable trail through the pack and McElhinney believes that if he is close enough, he can run home over the top of his rivals.

“This is my first drive on the horse but looking at his replays and the way tonight’s race shapes, I think we will have every chance to stalk them and be able to run home strongly,” he said.

“One thing you can be confident with is that Clayton’s horses are well prepared fitness wise. It will be up to me to put them into the race and get the best out of them.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW