By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Former Kiwi reinsman Jack Trainor is being picked as one of the drivers to follow at Menangle today.
Enjoying his best season by far, he has driven 126 winners.
“This season has been extended so I guess my winners have been inflated a bit – normally we’d be into the next season by now but it has been a terrific run and I’m loving it,” Trainor told Harness Racing New South Wales media.
Today he partners three of the seven favourites, including two highly-fancied David Thorn runners, including Red Reactor in race 4.
“He’s been a great horse since he’s come over although he probably races best when he can be saved up for one run,” said Trainor.
Red Reactor won seven from 38 in New Zealand for trainer Sean McCaffrey before heading across the Tasman in August.
“But he does look the one to beat there, for sure. Let’s hope so.”
The other favoured Thorn runner is Navua Star in race 6.
“Navua Star has plenty of ability and early tactics might be the key in this race.”
His first favourite for the day though will be for trainer Lisa Fitzpatrick.
“Christmas Toyboy [Race 3] also went well last start. He should be able to lead again and he’ll go well.
“He does have a mind of his own sometimes, this horse, but he’s still a pretty nice pacer and I reckon he’ll run first or second.”
Trainor moved to New South Wales five years ago, and as well as driving winners has moved into training, with five horses in work at the Menangle Training Centre.
As a 16-year-old he moved from Dunedin to Christchurch and had a 6 month stint at Graham & Paul Court’s before taking up a position at Cran Dalgety’s Kentuckiana Lodge.
Trainor had 17 wins in just over two seasons of race driving in New Zealand, including 10 wins in his debut season. His first win was on Hip Hop Anvil in September of 2011.
Now Trainor is sixth on the New South Wales premiership that’s being topped by heavyweights Luke McCarthy and Robert Morris, with stakes earnings of over a million dollars ($AUD 1,1,05,285).
“I am happy with the way things are going here……Hopefully, this run rolls on into next season.”
