Teenager hitting his straps on driving dream

Teenage NSW harness racing reinsman George Lee has his mind set on a career in the sport he was born into – and it’s fair to say he’s off and racing!

The 16-year-old finished school at the end of last year to work in his grandfather Steven Lee’s stable at the Canberra training centre.

The young reinsman had his first drive on May 27, the day he turned 16 and received his concession driver’s licence – and although things didn’t go quite to plan at his first drive, he’s gone on to tick off some big milestones in his first month.

Lee recorded his first-ever win at his home track on June 10, before popping up with a double at Wagga Wagga just a week later.

He now has four wins and five placings from 30 drives and is loving every minute.

“I was probably never really going to do anything else to be honest,” Lee said.

“Dad (Simon Locke) and Pop had horses all the time I was growing up.  I was always interested, and they always encouraged me!” he said.

“I got into the mini trots first and was lucky enough to drive in a Miracle Mile and Inter Dominions in the mini trotters.  I loved it and couldn’t wait until I could get started with the real thing.”

Lee scored his first win on his Pop’s chestnut square gaiter Jungle Eyes (Peak) who spoilt the party at his first drive by galloping at the start.  The trotter again tested Lee’s skills at Canberra, but the young reinsman showed composure with a well-judged race and scored by 4.5 metres.

To watch the replay, click here.

“I had a bit of luck with one of the favorites galloping at the start, but he went really well – it took a bit to sink in, but it was a pretty good day.  I couldn’t really believe it,” he said.

“I was rapt, but getting the double at Wagga was even more surreal.  I thought they both just needed a bit of luck that night and they would be in it, and that was what happened. It was great.”

Lee’s first double was at Wagga Wagga on June 18 for his dad Simon Locke behind Here Comes Bobby (Western Terror) and The Ex Horseist (Betterthancheddar), which scored a rousing last-to-first victory in the Hillis Motor Group Pace.

To watch the replay, click here.

“Dad and Pop are great at giving me feedback and my cousin is (19-year-old reinsman) Jimmy Locke, so they always give me some advice about how I went and how I can improve,” he said.

“I just want to keep getting winners for Pop and dad and keep improving.  I was a bit nervous at my first few drives, but I’m starting to feel comfortable out there and hopefully I can get some more opportunities for outside drives as I go along.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink