Third generation trainer to debut at Burnie

Only five harness racing trainers will compete in Friday’s (Nov. 18) eight-race Burnie program, one of which will be having their first start as a trainer.

Ulverstone’s Claire MacDonald will continue a strong family tradition when she saddles up Sports Candy in the fourth race of the night, following in the footsteps of her grandfather Athol Burgess and her hall-of-fame father, Rod Burgess.

“There were a couple of years without a trainers license at home when dad became a bit unwell and decided not to keep his license.

“The kids are very interested and we had Sports Candy elsewhere, so Glenn and I decided to buy the others out and give it a crack,” said MacDonald.

And while MacDonald will be a third-generation participant, it won’t be long until the fourth-generation hit the track, with her children Alec and Lucy participating in Tasracing’s Mini Trot program.

“They are really keen, and racing is what we talk about every day of the week, so we are continuing with the family tradition.

“Sports Candy is a lovely horse and is great with the kids. She can even do a lap with their ponies,” the new trainer said.

The six-year-old mare is first-up since mid-July and took part in a Carrick Park trial on Monday night, finishing 5.5m behind To The Lookout.

“It was just what she needed, to give her a run with other horses and it was a nice quiet trial, which is all we needed her to do.

“If she can be amongst them on Friday, that will be great,” explained MacDonald.

MacDonald, who is the Devonport Harness Racing Club president, drove in races until the 2009/10 season, and she took the reins on the Sportswriter mare in that Carrick Park trial, however, it is unlikely we will see her in the sulky on race day.

“I’ll stick to the trials and let those driving every meeting jump on at the races, it makes it easier if you can put them around yourself at the trials,” she said, with Kayleb Williams taking driving responsibilities for Friday’s race.

Another decision to get her trainers’ license is the North West Coast harness and greyhound facility proposed for Mill Rd in Wesley Vale.

The Burnie meeting looks set to be dominated by Ben Yole, who trains all bar 11 of the runners across the meeting.

It is extremely likely that he will pass Queensland’s Grant Dixion for the most number of winners in a 12-month season, which was set as 340 in the 2018/19 season.

Yole has 335 winners for the 2022 season after a winner at Echuca on Thursday night.

On Friday afternoon, the Yole stable also has runners at Albury in New South Wales.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing