Trainor, McCarthy take Metropolitan titles

It may have looked like he was chasing Cameron Hart for much of the harness racing season, yet former Kiwi Jack Trainor is the one celebrating after securing the 2022 NSW Metropolitan Driver’s Premiership.

Trainor wrapped up the title at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night when he finished the metro season just as he started it, with another impressive win, scoring with talented former Riverina mare Punt Away (Sportswriter) at just her first run for the Trainor stable.

Earlier in the night Trainor also scored with four-year-old gelding Braedos Lad (For A Reason) to finish the metro season with a winning double, which gave him the title by just a half a win from exciting young reinsman Cameron Hart.

Another talented reinsman, Jack Callaghan finished third in the Metro Drivers’ Premiership on 32 wins, one ahead of Rob Morris (31).

Trainor, Hart and Callaghan all earned more than a million dollars for their owners during the year.

Trainor also figured prominently in the Metropolitan Trainers’ premiership, although this time he had to settle for second spot as Cobbitty trainer Belinda McCarthy continued her reign as the queen of the metropolitan arena, winning the title with 41 victories to defeat Trainor by 3.5 wins.

Inter Dominion winner Jason Grimson finished third with 29 wins with Paul Fitzpatrick fourth (21 wins).

McCarthy’s stable returned a phenomenal $1,556,984 for her owners for the season, while Trainor’s clients would also have been satisfied with their $932,985 return.

From Club Menangle