Talented Queenslander could be on the move

Exciting young Queensland harness racing trainer-driver Jonah Hutchinson is campaigning in NSW at the moment-and he may just stay put!

“We’ve got six of our horses with us at Wagga and there’s another three to come down. My partner Paige Bevan is from this area and we’re staying with her parents,” Hutchinson said.

“Paige has given me awesome support over the past two years when we were based up at Logan Village where I came from. I thought it was only fair that we spend some time with her family,” he said.

“We are so far thoroughly loving it, so it could become a permanent thing. It seems a bit more chilled down here and there’s plenty of racing with a number of tracks within an easy drive from Wagga.

“Our horses are at the stables of Bernie Kelly, who is a well-known and experienced horseman. It’s all working out nicely because we can give Bernie a hand. He’s got a lovely place with an 800m track and he’s also got some nice horses.”

Hutchinson, in only his third season in the sport, is certainly a young man in a hurry and has already crammed more into 22 years than many do in a lifetime.

The Brisbane-born and Trinity College (Beenleigh) educated youngster was a gifted rugby league player which took him to America.

“I was lucky to have natural ability with the football and I was good at it-but it was always in the back of my mind that all I wanted to do was the horses,” he said.

“Part of my training over in the United States was spending a few hours each day in the gym. They wanted me to bulk up. After I’d completed that, I was off to the nearest harness racing stables to help out-I never got paid, just did it as a volunteer.

“I was part of the Brisbane Broncos academy when I was 14 and then was involved with two other academies when I was 15 and 16. No-one wanted to sign me up though because I was only 50 to 55 kgs. I think I attracted some overseas attention when I played A Grade rugby on the Gold Coast.

“I ended up having the choice of going to play for Boston, Delaware, Philadelphia or New York-I chose Boston because I had an aunty living there and I could spend some time with my cousins. The Americans weren’t concerned that I was skinny because they knew I’d bulk up from being in the gym.

“So I played professional football (hooker and half-back) with the Boston Thirteens. It wasn’t big money, but it enabled me to travel the country and I did that for 18 months. It was full-on some weeks when we’d be playing nearly every day.

“It all came to an end when I separated my shoulder. But to be honest, I would have probably chosen harness racing over football. I’ve got quite a number of screws in my shoulder, but it doesn’t bother me.”

Hutchinson got into harness racing through a friend, Queensland reinsman Leonard Cain and his trainer-driver father Errol, who lived just down the road.

“I’ll never forget when I had my shoulder surgery, Leonard was driving a horse for me in Torque To The Max, which was a 25/1 longshot at Redcliffe. The surgeons had finished, and I woke up and all I could think about was ringing Leonard to see how he went,” he said.

“Leonard told me they’d won. I woke up again later and didn’t know if I’d dreamt it so I was back on the phone again to Leonard! He told me not to check in again!”

Torque To The Max (Camelot Hall – Torque Reaction (Panorama) has been a handy asset, with stakes and bonuses now close to $100,000 after Hutchinson paid only $500 for her a little over three years ago.

The mare ran second at Wagga last Friday- the first meeting in which the Hutchinson colors went around in the Riverina. He then went one better at Junee on Tuesday when bay gelding Favreau (Cammibest-Party In Paris (Partywiththebigdog) took out the $9180 Sky Racing Active Pace.

“Torque To The Max used to race with a ton of gear on which she didn’t really need. I’d learnt over in the States that it’s best to keep it simple and that was the key to her. The horse set me up so she will be in our barn forever,” Hutchinson said.

“We paid $3500 for Favreau so he’s shaping as a nice purchase too. I do a lot of buying and selling and thankfully I’ve had some success doing that,” he said.

“One of the best ones was Rousey who we got from Sydney. She won six straight before a second placing. She ended up winning eight. Another nice one was Gina Tarantella who won by 75m first start and then made it five straight.”

Although not from a harness racing family, Hutchinson has enjoyed his family’s full support through horse ownership.

Hutchinson said he was impressed with the Wagga track.

“It’s nice and big, but a different shape to what I’m used to. I can’t wait to drive on a few of the others like Canberra and Temora,” he said.

“Both Paige and I love the sport. Paige is from a trots background, with her dad Chris having been involved. She drives really well but enjoys the training side too. We see the move as the perfect opportunity to be successful and if things go well, it most likely could be permanent.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink