Zac’s harness racing bias reaps rewards

Zac Pearson might still be destined for big things in his family’s favored sport of lawn bowls – but it’s undoubtedly harness racing that’s capturing his attention for the moment.

The 24-year-old trainer recorded his first Victorian training win – and the third in his short career -with South Australian-owned pacer Steele (Caribbean Blaster – Acearena (Aces N Sevens) at Hamilton on Monday afternoon.

But Pearson, who works for Marg and Paddy Lee at their Ecklin South training operation and farm, near Terang, wasn’t able to be at the track to enjoy the rewards for his effort.

“My family is in Mount Gambier and because of the border closures I haven’t been able to get home for about six months – the weekend was the first chance I’d had,” Pearson said.

“It’s a really busy time on the (Lees’) farm at the moment, so after being away at the weekend when it came to the races on Monday, I was obliged to stay at back here working on the harvest,” Pearson said.

“I didn’t mind though. Jason (Lee) and Glen (Craven) and Codi Rauchenberger took the team, along with Lochie Cook who drove him, so he was in good hands!”

Steele is owned by Mount Gambier trainer Steven Fennell, who sent him to Victoria during the COVID-19 lockdown. The win came at his fourth start for Pearson, and with the borders opening up, the pacer is now headed back to rejoin the Fennell stable.

Pearson has held his trainer’s licence only since late last year, and he’s recorded three wins from just 17 starts (the previous two were at Mount Gambier in March with Exalted Figure).

He’s showing fine touch as a trainer, but success could just as easily have come had he pursued his family’s sporting traditions.

“Lawn bowls is the only other sport or hobby I do, apart from the horses,” Pearson said.

“My mum and sister are great at it. Mum (Fiona Pearson) won two State titles, played for Australia and won two Australasian medals. My sister Keisha, who’s 21 has won a state title, plus she’s been picked for the Australian team this year,” he said.

“I’ve made it to finishing runner-up in a State title for indoor bowls, so I don’t go too bad, but mum and Keisha have definitely got my measure there.”

Pearson found his way into harness racing with little formal family involvement.

“We always used to go to the trots at Mount Gambier when I was young and I had a relative (Jim Simpson) who was a steward at the Mount, so there was always interest there,” he said.

“I started helping out Kevin von Duve when I was about 16, then I changed stables to Steven Fennell, and worked for him part time. I ended up getting a share in a horse with Steven, The Cullector, which won a few races for us. I really enjoy the training side and I still help out Steven now whenever I go back home.”

Pearson started work on the Lee property just before the COVID-19 lockdowns began.

“I was here for about eight months before COVID hit, and now I’ve been back for about seven months,” he said.

“The Lees are a bit like a second family to me. It’s a great place to work and there’s no better place to learn everything I can about the horses.”

Watch Zac’s Victorian winner below:

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink