Harris loving life in ‘the perfect job’!

Former NSW Central West horseman David Harris is thriving in his new harness racing role in Victoria.

“I’m private trainer for Cormack Racing Pty Ltd — Adam, Ben and Terry—and run their 72-hectare training complex at Avenel (120km north of Melbourne). It’s the perfect job and I’m just loving it,” Harris said.

“This has been something I’ve always wanted to do and it’s by far the best decision I’ve ever made.”

The 47-year-old has already made his presence felt in the winner’s circle, most recently with Direct Command (He’s Watching) at Kilmore on Thursday night (May 29).

“That was our third win with him. He’s six years old and does well when he’s in the below 50NR events. His other wins were at Charlton and Shepparton,” Harris said.

Driven by Kialla’s Tasmyn Potter, Kiwi-bred Direct Command settled three back in the running line before circling the field and fighting out a tough finish to win by 1.2 metres over Karuma Kev, with Glenline third. The mile rate was 2:00.4.

“Adam (Cormack) had been up with us for a week and he was very happy to see the win.”

Harris currently has 16 horses in work—six racehorses and a team of two and three-year-olds. The property is home to around 45 horses, including broodmares and young stock.

He originally came across the opportunity through a Trading Ring ad for a stablehand position with the Cormack’s former trainer Greg Norman.

“Then later, when Greg moved back to SA because of his health, the boys asked me to take over. It’s something I just love, and I’ve put my heart into it. When I left school years ago I wanted to do the horses, but I also realised you couldn’t survive without another job.

“I was at Woolworths for 22 years, then had a pub for three years and worked in aged care for four years. The pub was good, but it was 24/7 and I could only do one or two horses in any spare time I had.”

Harris’s harness racing roots run deep—his father, also David, was introduced to the sport after migrating from Ireland under the “Ten Pound Pom” scheme and settling in Parkes.

“Dad would watch the neighbours over the fence and fell in love with the sport. He had a few nice horses, and an old favourite was a mare named Mary Lincoln.”

The harness racing tradition continues in the family, with brothers Robert and Darren still involved, and sister Belinda owning shares in a few horses.

While Harris drove around 80 winners during his career, these days he’s happy to leave the race drives to the professionals.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also gotten wiser and realise the ground is harder these days,” he laughed.

“I’m happy to drive at the trials, but I enjoy watching Tasmyn, Ellen (Tormey) and the others I use. They make it look easy.”

The Avenel complex is well-appointed, with two training tracks, 20 paddocks with shelters, a large barn, water walker and more.

Harris is supported by his partner Jonathan, a former foreman for Cowra racehorse trainer Michael Lynch, who now holds a harness racing stablehand licence.

“Jonathan helps out, and we also have Bo, a girl who comes in and helps us.”

While Harris is enjoying Victorian life, he admits there’s one adjustment still pending.

“The cold mornings at Avenel are going to be a challenge! I think there might be some other jobs to do—like put horses on the walker—before we brave going out on the track jogging them,” he said.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink