Sofia stamping her mark on NSW harness racing

A treble at Bathurst last night certainly kept Swedish-born harness racing driver Sofia Arvidsson smiling.

The 27-year-old had never been to Bathurst before let alone drive on that track, but that did not stop her from landing three winners in her first look at the 1064m circuit.

“I can’t complain about a track that you drive three winners the first time you go there,” grinned Arvidsson.

“It’s a nice complex and good track . . . I had never been there before and it is a far way out of Sydney but the trip home is always easier when you have a good night.”

Experiences like this may become common for Arvidsson who only recently made the move to Sydney permanently.

Working for respected horseman Blake Fitzpatrick, Arvidsson has wasted no time getting results for the stable in just three weeks of working there.

Arvidsson was successful in her first two drives for Fitzpatrick and thanks to last night’s results has driven six winners in quick succession since relocating from Victoria.

For the record, her winners at Bathurst were Jalaneel, Breivka and La Puddie. Watch Arvidsson bring up her treble with La Puddie below:

“I’m in my third week of working for Blake and I’m having a good run and loving it, I’m happy to keep the winners coming,” said Arvidsson.

“Once you’re out on track, the driving in New South Wales isn’t that much different to Victoria, apart from Menangle which is a different style of racing all together.

“But it is very hard to win races in Victoria and it all comes down to having the right horse.

“I was fortunate I was educated well in Victoria and had a good foundation for my driving.

“Since moving to Sydney I have let some stress and pressure go and it’s good for me not to have all the responsibilities I used to have and find joy again.”

And providing Arvidsson with some of that joy are two special horses to her that she has brought to Sydney.

They are trotter Gus An Maori and a Rocknroll Heaven filly she bred.

“Gus An Maori is the love of my life and I would be lost without him,” Arvidsson said.

“He’s the one I learned how to drive on and won eight or nine races and a Group 2 with him in one season.

“He pulled his hamstring badly after winning the Breeders Crown and has never been the same after.

“He’s on his way back and had a quiet trial yesterday so hopefully he’ll be back racing soon.”

To make this happen, Arvidsson’s next step is to obtain her training licence.

And it might not be too long until Arvidsson starts riding trackwork with some of the thoroughbreds Fitzpatrick has in his stable.

Watch this space.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink