Sisters step up the sibling rivalry

The three Rusten sisters are fiercely competitive in whatever they do, but they took it to a new level – on the harness racing track – for the first time this week.

Tiarne, 21, Laura, 19, and Jorja, 17, competed in the same race last Monday (Dec 26) night at the Dubbo meeting—on one of the rare occasions three sisters have gone head-to-head, according to NSW industry records.

“They were all excited to be out there together. Their nerves were pretty good, and we stayed reasonably calm,” proud parents Darryle and Nicole said.

“The only difficult part was that we didn’t have enough sets of eyes!” Nicole laughed.

“But after we travelled back home to Parkes, Darryle had a few beers and we watched the race replay at least 15 times.”

For youngest sister Jorja, the event took on extra significance, marking her race-driving debut.

“She was so happy to be up against her older sisters,” Nicole said.

“We thought they all drove really well. They are always competitive in everything they do—very much so!”

Laura finished second on Harley James, beaten four metres by Jessejames Shannon (Western Terror), driven to victory by Brett Hutchings in the $6936 Sky Racing Active Pace. Jorja was sixth on Camstar Road, while Tiarne was not far back in eighth with Littlehat.

The sisters have their own registered racing colors, each of which carry sentiment and significance relating to the family involvement in the sport.

“Our family has a long association. I’m aged 55 and I’d say that I’ve nearly been in the sport for that long,” Darryle said.

“Tiarne has colors of white with a red checked tartan sash, which were those of my late dad Harold. Laura has pink with green diamonds which belonged to my grandfather Mark Fanning, while Jorja has my mum Joy Moore’s colors of purple with gold sashes and gold sleeves.

“My grandfather was involved back when they still rode trotters and he continued on when the sport converted to the carts. The late Tony Turnbull was another who did both back in the early days.”

Tiarne, who began driving in 2019, is helping Maitland trainer Brad Elder, while also attending university. She has 12 months to go before graduating as a nurse.

“It was a six-hour drive for her to get to the Dubbo meeting. I think she had to do a deal to get time away from the Elder stables!” Darryle laughed.

“Laura is at home studying to get a Bachelor of Equine Science, while Jorja is preparing to do Year 12.

“None of them did the pony trots, but all three have been right into horses, whether it be eventing, jumping or re-educating. Next month Jorja will compete in the po Rusteny club State Show Jumping titles.”

The Rustens have seven horses in work at their property a few kilometres from Parkes – but they have another five horses in their barn, including jumpers, re-educators and breakers.

“Both Nicole and I work so the girls do most of the work with the horses at home. Nicole gives a hand with stablehand duties,” Darryle said.

“I have a bit of a laugh because I started off very young shoveling horse manure for dad. Then I graduated to training and driving—and now I’m back on the shovel again!”

Hoofnote trivia: Other notable sibling achievements include the Ison siblings – Emma, Tom and Sam – each driving winners at a meeting on multiple occasions, first at Armidale in 2019; in 1988, the Turnbull family (Cindy, Tony, Steve, Craig and Greg) drove the first five placegetters at a race at Bathurst; and in 1989, the Mifsud sisters (Rosie Weidenbach, Gaita Pullicino and Rita Burnett) drove winners at the same meeting at Yarra Valley in Victoria.

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink