Roma Pocock spends much of her time teaching others the ins and outs of the sport she loves.
As a long-time mentor at Bendigo’s Harness Racing Training Centre, Pocock is often a major influence on the industry’s next generation of stars.
Many well-known names have come through the centre's ranks - including the likes of Glenn and Daryl Douglas, Ross Graham, David Miles and Damian Wilson - and more are sure to follow in their footsteps.
“We take them right through from when they start and hopefully have their first drive with us,” Pocock said.
“It’s satisfying, especially when you see them come on in life and start to go really good.”
Despite her busy schedule, Pocock also finds time to train a few horses of her own.
The daughter of legendary trainer-driver and Harness Racing Victoria Hall of Fame member Ken will prepare two for the races at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night, including one in the Group 3 VHRC Metropolitan Pace Final (2240m, NR 70-79).
Pocock has only recently acquired Goodboy Cowboy from the Glenn Douglas stables and is hoping for a hot speed to give him a good chance in the $30,000 event.
The six-year-old, who won on debut for Pocock at big odds in mid-December, has drawn barrier 12 for driver Abbey Turnbull.
“He was going really good when I got him anyway so I didn’t have to really do much. It was just sort of keeping him fit,” the Junortoun trainer said.
“He’s a horse that can pull a bit from time to time so when they run good times and sprint home he can come home really good.
“When they go a bit slow, he sort of pulls himself out (of the race).”
Goodboy Cowboy finished fourth in a heat of the VHRC Metropolitan Pace series behind Deedenuto last weekend and will certainly need everything to go his way to turn the tables on that Emma Stewart-trained rival.
The other heat winner last Saturday night was Stewart’s Our Millionaire, who has now strung together five victories in succession and should start favourite in the final.
Pocock will also be represented by former Douglas pacer Valentina Brave, who goes around in the VHRMA Graham Goffin Memorial (1720m, mares NR 70-99).
While those two feature events carry plenty of interest, the second instalment of the Mercury80 series is perhaps the most intriguing race of the night.
Revealed last month, the Mercury80 consists of four $20,000 heats and a $50,000 final and carries extra bonuses for the quickest winner and any horse that can break 80 seconds over the 1200m journey.
Stewart’s Liftntorque produced a scintillating finale to claim the opening heat and the stable has the favourite for Saturday night’s sprint in Always Fast.
The son of Always A Virgin has won both his starts back from a spell and most recently blitzed his rivals at Melton over 1720m.
Further heats of the Mercury80 will be run on January 10 and 17 before the eight qualifiers progress to the Group 2 final on January 25, the night of the Victoria Oaks and Victoria Derby.