Rothwell excited for first Trot Rods chance

On the verge of posting a career-best harness racing campaign in the sulky, emerging reinsman Nathan Rothwell is eager for his first appearance in the popular Trot Rods concept and thinks he has a winning chance.

At just 21 years of age, Rothwell has already recorded 35 victories for the season with the calendar yet to tick over to May.

He will in the coming weeks surpass his previous high mark which was 42 winners’ last season.

He has also improved his strike-rate in the bike this year, as well.

The young reinsman is catching the attention of plenty of other trainers, as well, picking up drives for an array of stables this year on top of the couple he prepares himself.

Tamborine trainer Richard Hutchinson thinks Rothwell is a driver that is on the rise.

“He really has impressed me what he has done,” the veteran trainer said.

“He went to so much trouble to get to where he is today by moving to Victoria to learn and gain experience.

“He is really kicking goals since he has come back. He has a big future.”

Rothwell describes his season so far as ‘crazy’ as he did not think he would have so many winners under his belt so quickly.

He believes he has been given more opportunities from stronger stables as his driving skills have grown and notes that he is always learning when he is out on the track.

The driver and trainer gets his first taste of Trot Rods action around ‘The Triangle’ on Wednesday evening as he partners stable favourite Tommy Bligh (Highview Tommy).

The gelding will be making his first appearance for the year at the races in the second of Wednesday’s two heats.

Tommy Bligh enjoyed a strong 2023 before his break, running into the money on 21 occasions from 45 starts last term.

The pacer trialled at the Peninsula facility last week and Rothwell believes he is ready to go.

“He is coming along good as he had a nice freshen up there in the paddock,” the young trainer and driver said.

“He obviously trialed last week and we were happy with the way he trialed.

“His work has been good since then as well. He is a nice consistent little horse.”

Bustn Feelz Good spun around the Redcliffe track in 66.9 seconds last week to post the quickest time so far of 2024 with the second heat winner – Lord Denzel – unable to topple that mark.

Rothwell says the stable considered entering Tommy Bligh in last year’s Trot Rods series but are glad now they will give him a look at the short and fast concept.

The concession driver and Tommy Bligh will be gunning for the front in the early stages in the 947 metre contest.

“I think he will be really suited to the Trot Rods because he is the sort of a horse that has a really quick half in him,” he said.

“He has not got a whole lot of stamina.

“He has obviously got a lot of gate speed as well so we are pretty confident going into this race.

“Hopefully he can find the front and be too good.

“He has drawn five but he comes into four the emergency being scratched. I think he has enough gate speed to get across.”

Rothwell is in his fourth full season of driving and is keen to drive in the sprint series for the first time this week.

“I am looking forward to driving in the Trot Rods,” Rothwell said.

“I think they are really good. It looks good on paper.”

Rothwell prepares a team of two with Playa Blanca and Tommy Bligh in his barn.

Nathan’s twin brother Will Rothwell is also aiming to join him in the Queensland driving ranks and recently partnered Tommy Bligh in a trial.

In 2023, trainer Trent Moffat and driver Angus Garrard combined with Vanity Bay to stop the clock at 63.8 seconds to claim the series for the year.

Click here for more information on Trot Rods.

by Jordan Gerrans, for Racing Queensland