She’s done it! Bronte in the winner’s circle again

Young Tasmanian harness racing trainer-driver Bronte Miller probably had the biggest smile going around at last Friday night’s (April 4) Hobart meeting, after a much anticipated and emotional return to the winner’s circle.

Miller, 20, drove Will He Pike (Heston Blue Chip) to a popular win in the Ladbrokes Racing Club Pace – her first victory for two years and three months and the 67th of her career.

“It was a bit of disbelief, but I was so relieved and absolutely over the moon,” Miller said.

“I suppose I proved to myself and everyone else that I can still do it.”

Miller was one of the passengers involved in a horrifying road accident on January 30, 2023, when a vehicle towing a loaded four-horse float crashed at Rowella, north of Launceston, on a journey home from the races.

The State’s leading female driver in the 2022 season spent two-and-a-half weeks in hospital with injuries including a broken left hip, a dislocated right hip and a broken her right foot and hand. Miller was fortunate to retain 100 percent vision in her left eye, but she barely has any in her right.

Miller underwent a number of operations and long stints of rehabilitation, but in December last year, made a remarkable return to race driving.

With her vision impairment, Miller has had to adapt to race driving, but follows other leading drivers, including SA reinswoman Dani Hill and Victorian legend the late Ian McCallum, who succeeded despite having sight in just one eye.

“I obviously had no choice because I was never not going to return to being out on the track!” she said.

“Wanting to get back out there pushed me through all my stints of rehabilitation.  But it’s amazing how the body adapts, and my judgement of range is really good.”

Miller’s comeback in mid-February was hindered when she broke her ankle, and her win was at her first drive back after that setback.

But Miller said she had her doubts after coming out of the gate hard and getting caught in the death seat on Will He Pike.

“I thought ‘this isn’t going to be good’! But later when the leader was being driven up heading for home, I knew my horse had more to give. It was only my third drive on him, but he’s a lovely fella and I’ve always had a soft spot for him,” she said.

“He’s trained by Tammy Langley who’s given me plenty of opportunities which I’m so grateful for.  From trials to race drives, Tammy has backed me all the way, along with my mum and dad.

“I must also say a big thanks to Bianca Heenan and her partner Nathan Ford who are the owners of Will He Pike who have been there for me since day dot. I’m basically a part of their family – I often joke that I’m their adopted child.”

Prior to last Friday’s victory, her previous was on Dapper (Rocknroll Hanover) at Hobart on the night before the motor vehicle accident.

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink