Tetrick impresses at Auckland media night

North America's leading harness racing driver Tim Tetrick conducted the first of two public meetings in New Zealand at Alexandra Park last night and for those lucky enough to be present it was a night to remember.

Tim covered a lot of topics and gave the audience an insight to how he got to where he is today.

Tim started driving at a very early age.

"I drove my first horse when I was just three or four."

" My dad was a trainer and we helped out from an early age."

" I can remember coming home from school in the fifth grade and doing boxes and work round the stable and then I  would still be jogging horses two hours after it was dark ,"Tim said.

Driving his first winner at fourteen, Tim was unable to drive in Parimutual races until he was eighteen even though he drove over 200 winners at fairs when he was sixteen and seventeen.

Punters in North America are never afraid to tell you when they think you haven't perfrormed.

"I remember one time at Maywood where I drove six winners on a fourteen race card."

" When I went to the carpark at the end of the night, they had put my car up on blocks and taken the wheels." 

"Someone had written on the windscreen to drive better," Tim told the crowd last night.

As Tim explained last night there are no driving fees in North America and drivers are only paid five per cent of all stakes won.

The year Tim won 1189 races was full on from start to finish.

" I had Xmas day and Super Bowl Sunday off but drove every other day of the year so you earn your money."

"The rules vary from state to state which can make it tricky at times," Tim said.

Tim was very clear on the most important factor in his continuing success.

"I wouldn't be where I am or had the success I've had without Ashley's support.'

" We are are a team and that's what lets me do what I do."

"She understands what I'm doing which makes things so much easier," Tim said.

One of the highlights of the night was the interaction between Tim and Hall Of Fame Thoroughbred trainer Jim Gibbs.

Jim was effusive in his praise of the presentation given by Tim and thought a recording of it would make a great instruction tool for young galloping apprentices in New Zealand.

With that in mind it is now planned to record Tuesday nights presentation in Christchurch.

Special thanks must go to Noel Kennard who has organised both the public meetings and has taken a week off to be a tour guide for Tim and Ashley during their time in New Zealand.

Tim conducts his second public meeting tomorrow night at the Spectators Bar at Addington Raceway and we highly recommend that if you can get there, you do.

Its well worth it.

For those wanting to keep up with Tim you can do so at www.timtetrick.com

Harnesslink Media