New junior to make race day driving debut tonight

A new name will join the junior driving ranks in the north tonight.

Holly Moralde Sands, who was judged the Most Promising Cadet at the latest North Island Harness Racing Awards, will drive Grace N Elegance (Pegasus Spur) in the NZ Trainers and Drivers Association North Island Handicap Trot at Alexandra Park.

Adding to the occasion, the 19-year-old also co-races the six-year-old mare.

“I’m actually leasing that mare. It was Crystal’s idea (Hackett) to get me a horse that I could have for trial drives and get onto the racetrack.”

Crystal’s mother and father Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett train the mare from their Waiuku base.

Both Crystal (Mad Mary) and Bernie (Happy Hill) will also drive in the same race.

Moralde Sands has had the 25 trials required before a race day debut. Her background is through Pony Club and “low level showjumping” before she started working weekends and school holidays for champion trainer-driver Tony Herlihy at his Papakura stables. She began full-time there about three years ago.

“Tony’s been good to put me on some older horses and some younger ones and trotters and the like,” says Moralde Sands, “I’ve had lots of different drives at the trials.” 

Grace N Elegance is currently a $4.60 second favourite behind the Tony Herlihy-trained Pretty In Pink. Both will start off 30 metres. They finished one-two at the trials on July 18.

“She’s been trailing nice and we are pretty happy with her,” Moralde Sands said of Grace N Elegance.

Moralde Sands joins a growing list of northern-based junior drivers including :

Neita Balle
Stephanie Burley
Kate Coppins
Nathan Delany
Kristina Denifostova
Jacob Dunn
Crystal Hackett
Taitlyn Hanara
Alicia Harrison
Leah Hibell
Emily Johnson
Harrison Orange
Monika Ranger
Fergus Schumacher
Brooke Wilkins

The NZ Trainers and Drivers Association North Island Handicap Trot is due to go at Alexandra Park at 9.18pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk