Childhood memories inspire West’s huge Radiant support

MEMORIES of a childhood spent in the back of a car heading to racetracks with his late father stirred successful South Australian businessman Greg West to throw huge support behind harness racing’s most exciting new race, the $100,000 The Radiant at Port Pirie.

West’s father, Murray, was a very well respected harness trainer who chased SA’s country circuit and gymkhanas for many years at tracks like Kimba and Whyalla.

“That’s where the passion comes from, my late brother (Geoff) and I would be in the back of the car and Geoff became a (harness) driver” West said. “I’m in a position through my businesses to be able to support the game and I love what the guys at Port Pirie have done in creating this race.

“From the moment they first told me, it really caught my eye and sounded clever.

“All kudos to them for showing so much initiative and if my support can help even more, then I’m in.

“It’s shaping up to be a big night. I’ve got a crew from my work going down and many of them aren’t racing people, or have been out of the game for a while.”

West jumped at the chance to buy one of the 20 slots in this year’s inaugural race on Saturday night, but he’s going to raise the bar again next year.

“I’ve told the guys I’ll take on the naming rights sponsor with one of my New Zealand businesses, Fiordland Expeditions,” he said.

West, who has business in Australia, NZ, the USA, Thailand and Luxembourg, has teamed with leading trainer-driver Ryan Hryhorec and former Victorian mare Seaside Lady as his slot runner.

“It’s a funny story. I picked her out when she was a maiden in Victoria. Ryan really wasn’t happy when I told him I’d bought a maiden for the race, he had a few choice words to say,” he said.

Seaside Lady has thrived with Hryhorec, winning three of her six starts, along with a second and a third.

West said there were excuses for her fifth at Globe Derby last Saturday night.

“James (Herbertson) drove her and said she was clipping the (wheel) disc (with her foot) and that’s why she got so revved-up and over raced outside the leader,” he said. “I thought it was a good run to fight on and run fifth and it should top her off nicely for the big one.”

Another huge supporter of The Radiant is high-profile dual code SA trainer Aaron Bain, who has three slots.

“We wanted to help try and get some broader exposure for the race, so we’re bringing top young NSW driver Seaton Grima across to partner Reach The Peak for us and Alex Ashwood is coming, too (from Victoria) to drive Narobi,” he said.

Bain’s other runner, Mikis Beauty, will be driven by leading local Wayne Hill.

Adding to the national flavour, Australia’s biggest owner Mick Boots, who races champion mare Captains Mistress, will have a runner and be trackside, while Queensland young gun Angus Garrard and prominent Victorian Jack Laugher will drive in the race.

The Radiant is named after former superstar Port Pirie pacer Radiant Venture, who became SA’s first Inter Dominion winner in 1957.

The 20 slot runners will contest two heats with the top five in each heat on Saturday night going into the $100,000 final about two hours later.

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia