Reagan Clarke has bro in her sights

Young Ballarat harness racing junior Reagan Clarke has got her “first winner out of the way”, and now has her sights set on beating her older brother.

The 16-year-old steered Foregone Conclusion (Art Major) to a tough victory at the Geelong meeting on April 3 in the VHRC Crop Plus Pace.

“I was driving two that night, Foregone Conclusion and Monsieur Flamel and I was hoping it might be the night I would get the win – I just wasn’t sure which one it would be,” Clarke said.

“They’re both trained by my dad (Stephen), but Monsieur Flamel is one he also owns and he bred, so he was probably hoping it would be that one.  But I was just glad to get the win!” she said.

Clarke stayed out of the early burn for the front from the number 5 alley, then allowed Foregone Conclusion to settle and work forward to the death seat.

“When the lead wasn’t there, I was a bit worried because he can get up and pulling in the death-seat,” she said.

“But he settled pretty well then he found heaps up the straight.”

Watch the results and replay by clicking here.

Clarke is completing Year 11 at school and got her license in December. She has now recorded a win and three placings from her 12 starts.

“I mostly have just been on dad’s horses, which I drive in trackwork, so I know them pretty well,” Clarke said.

“But I have had a couple of outside drives and would love to build up some more opportunities on other horses if I can.”

Clarke, who drove ponies since the age of four and was competing in pony trots by six, is the younger sister of 20-year-old Connor, who works for Geoff Webster at Bannockburn, near Geelong.

The pair are third-generation participants in the sport, through their dad Stephen and grandfather Jim Clarke.

“Mum’s not as involved but of course she always watches our drives even though she gets pretty nervous.  That night at Geelong Pa and I had taken the horses down and mum and dad were watching at home on the TV,” Clarke said.

“They were both pretty excited for me. Dad said mum was waving the whip more than I was up the home straight!”

Brother Connor, who has exactly 150 wins to his name, was driving at the Geelong meeting, but the two have never clashed in an official race – yet!

“That day will come, and I’ll be doing all I can to be the one winning!” Reagan said.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink