Trevor upholds the family tradition

There are few better related in harness racing then septuagenarian horseman Trevor White. 

The harness racing blood which oozes through White’s veins branches out over several generations both old and young throughout the Riverina. 

The Junee based White’s maternal grandfather was the legendary George Harpley who put the polish on the 1972 Inter Dominion winner Welcome Advice which was driven by White’s uncle Alan Harpley. 

White’s father Lance was a leading trainer driver in the Riverina amassing more than 600 career wins including those of the grand mare Robin Jean. 

White could be forgiven for being biased when discussing the deeds of his nephew the 12-time Group 1 winning reinsman Cameron Hart. 

“I reckon he’s the best driver in the country,” White said. 

“I’ve never seen a driver who can consistently get them over the line by an eyelash,” he said. 

Nevertheless, the rising 71-year-old still holds his own among his illustrious relatives. 

White, along with stable driver Peter McRae, landed a winning treble at Leeton earlier this week saluting with three of his 12 horse muster. 

The 13-year-old Dust To Diamonds launched White’s successful evening when he led all the way in the Leeton Soldiers Club Pace. 

A prudent $3000 purchase from Victoria eight years ago, the son of Artesian has now won more than $170,000 in prizemoney. 

“He’s been a great old horse with a nice turn of foot,” he said. 

DUST TO DIAMONDS REPLAY

White admitted he has attempted to retire Dust To Diamonds on several occasions in recent months. 

“I’ve been going to retire him for the past six months but each time he either wins or runs some placings and keeps bringing the money in,” he said. 

Imperious, an eight-year-old son of Christian Cullen, completed the race to race double when he got the verdict in a thrilling three-way finish taking his stake earnings to almost $90,000. 

“I bought him for $7000 off Trevor Allamby,” he said. 

White believes there are more wins in store for the 10-year-old pacer Millys Prince who completed the stable treble after sitting parked for most of the trip. 

“He’s been a bit of a trouble horse along the way but he did a good job and won easily in the end,” he said. 

White obtained his trainers and drivers licence 54 years ago however he had to wait until 2022 to capture his first Group 1 success when Defiant took out the Regional Championships State Final at Menangle. 

White still has the occasional drive and jumped in the cart behind Betterthantheboyz who was unplaced behind Imperious. 

“We had two in the one race so I had to have a drive,” he said. 

“I don’t do much driving these days, you haven’t got time to have a committee meeting out there as things happen so quickly.” 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink