THE future of harness racing is in safe hands. 

Right around Australia, fresh faces are making their presence felt on the racetrack and subsequently premiership standings.  

In Queensland, seven of the top ten drivers on the state-wide premiership are under the age of 30, with Pete McMullen on target to go back-to-back come season’s end. The success story of Angus Garrard is no secret, and he continues to make a name for himself with plenty of supporters, however there is several others driving plenty of winners with the state being renowned for concession claim opportunities. Whilst the black and white colours of Team Dixon are in no immediate danger of ending their dominance in the training ranks, the strength of Chantal Turpin’s team of high-quality young stock is promising. With no public training facility currently available in Queensland, there is hope that this will change in the near future to give those hoping to get their foot in the door a start point.  

Cameron Hart notched his 500th career victory on Tuesday afternoon at Menangle, with the former Riverina-based young gun now one of the state’s leading freelance reinsmen. After registering his first pair of Group 1 successes earlier this year, he now has his eyes firmly set on a premiership victory. The man that he is chasing down is another having his best season yet, Jack Trainor. After a Carnival Of Miracles he will never forget, the Kiwi native is now atop of the state premiership whilst he is building a strong team of his own runners and operating with a sharp strike rate.  

Speaking of strike rates, Jason Grimson is currently perched in third position on the state training standings, going at a remarkable 34 per cent. He also finds himself in the top three 64 per cent of the time. Grimson is now one of the hottest trainers in the country, with a steady flow of new recruits joining the team on a regular basis.  

Add to that names such as Jack Callaghan, Josh Gallagher and Brad Elder, who are now firmly situated in the state’s top 10 driving ranks, and New South Wales is on the up.  

Success in Victoria often requires a significant travel regime, and that is not lost on many up-and-comers in this state presently. Jack Laugher (pictured top) and James Herbertson (pictured right) are two covering plenty of territory in the first half of this year, steering in excess of 680 horses each already in the process. Laugher has established himself as the go-to man at Mildura, often taking full books and many winners to make the nine-hour round trip each meeting worthwhile.  

Kate Hargreaves is another young lady making a real name for herself in the ultra-competitive Victorian training ranks. A schoolteacher by trade, her results over the last few years have been outstanding, including her maiden Group 1 success in last year’s Vicbred Series with DON’T CARE. Aside from her clear numerical accomplishments, another indicator of her likely ongoing success is her ability to communicate and connect with new and established clients.  

Conor Crook is a name to take serious note of in the Apple Isle. Currently sitting second in the drivers’ premierships, his deeds as a trainer are proving just as impressive as he is also second only to Ben Yole in the state’s training ranks. Training 26 winners from just 73 starters, his strike rate is superb and should ensure that his team will continue to grow whilst he will no doubt still be an in-demand freelance reinsman.  

Tasmania has become a real destination for emerging talent, with junior drivers given strong opportunities to prove themselves by many of the state’s leading trainers. 

The Hill name has dominated South Australian harness racing for decades, and that doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon. Dani Hill is again proving her dominance with well over double the amount of driving wins of any of her peers this year already. This has no doubt inspired a new generation of young ladies hoping to make their mark on the sport, including up-and-comers Samantha Pascoe and Tiana McMahon, whilst Corey Johnson is flying the flag for the emerging lads.  

Hopefully an improvement in the sport’s future in the state will also see an upswing in the junior participation going forward.

Finally, Western Australia continues to have a brilliant bunch of young trainers and drivers making their mark on the industry.  

Emily Suvaljko experienced a breakout century season last year and is on target to better that in 2021, already reining home 89 thus far with regular strong books at metropolitan level.

Whilst Team Bond and Gary Hall Snr still sit atop the trainers’ title standings, there is a wave of talented youngsters continuing to make their mark. Justin Prentice and Aiden De Campo have both secured multiple Group 1 victories this season alone, with both young men showing a real aptitude for nurturing young talent themselves.  

With all this said, it’s easy to see that Australian harness racing is set to soar!

Gloucester Park kicks off this weekend’s harness racing features tonight (Friday), with the Group 2 San Simeon looking to be dominated by the in-form and well-drawn ALTA ENGEN. Also, race four on the card sees the return of MINSTREL to mobile conditions after he has dominated off standing start handicaps of late. His continued good form will see a Victorian trip looking likely over the coming months.  

Tabcorp Park Melton hosts another strong 10-race card tomorrow evening with the girls taking centre stage in the Group 3 Vicbred Platinum Mares Sprint Championship and Group 3 Lightfoot Laurels for the trotters. Menangle will also feature a mile sprint race for the open class pacers, with THE BLACK PRINCE, CASH N FLOW and recent giant-killer of late DOUBLE ENCOUNTER amongst a stack of chances.

Best of the weekend – R8 N1 @ Albion Park – Oaxacan Dream  

Value of the weekend – R2 N2 @ Albion Park – It Aint The Money

Brittany Graham is a regular host on Sky Racing and the Sky Racing Active app, plus In The Gig with Ben Way and Gareth Hall every Tuesday night on Sky Racing 2 from 6pm.

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.