From the workshop to the winner’s circle – now for 100!

New South Wales reinsman Blake Medlyn is just one win away from a milestone that seemed a long way off when the young motor mechanic swapped the workshop for a full-time career in harness racing.

The 24-year-old, based at Canowindra in the central west, sits on 99 career victories after landing winners at Wagga and Cowra in the past week.

“I was lucky to post my 98th and 99th winners in the space of three days, but unfortunately things haven’t been going my way since then, although I have had a few placings,” he said.

Medlyn scored aboard Warieda Boy (Bling It On) at Wagga Wagga last Friday before visiting the winners’ circle again at Cowra on Sunday with Willies Dollar (Pet Rock).

For a young driver happy to travel wherever an opportunity presents itself, the approaching century is a satisfying reward.

“I was doing a little bit of driving when it worked in while doing my motor mechanic apprenticeship. I enjoyed it but I just wanted to get a trade behind me first,” he said.

“We’d had horses with Mat (Rue) and once I finished my apprenticeship, when he offered me a job, I jumped at it.”

Rue had been training his team at the Bathurst Showgrounds before returning to his hometown of Canowindra almost two years ago to establish his own complex.

Medlyn made the move with him and is now an important part of a busy stable.

“It’s all coming along pretty good and we have about 30 horses in work,” Medlyn said.

“They are all running well and when they’re competitive and running to their ability you can’t complain,” he said.

“I love working at Mat’s and at this stage I haven’t really thought much about going into training – I’m just very happy doing what I’m doing.”

Rue himself is enjoying his most successful season and this week notched up a couple of significant milestones – his 50^th training win for 2026, with Magic Matteo at Wagga Wagga on Tuesday night, and at Bathurst last week recorded the 400^th training win of his career with Classic Beesmack (A Rocknroll Dance) at Bathurst (Sept 16).

Harness racing was part of Medlyn’s life long before it became his full-time career.

His father Kevin, based at Parkes, has long been involved in the sport as a hobby trainer, and Medlyn said following him into harness racing always seemed a natural progression.

Medlyn wasted little time tasting success in the sulky, driving his first winner at just his fourth race drive, although the victories didn’t immediately start flowing.

“Dad is really just a hobbyist and as long as they can pay their way, he’s more than happy. He recently retired so he will be able to put some more time into them,” Medlyn said.

“He gives me support, and mum’s always sending me messages.”

Medlyn’s willingness to travel for opportunities sees his name regularly appearing in race books at Bathurst, Cowra, Parkes, Dubbo and further afield at Wagga Wagga. Medlyn needs just one more to bring up his first century.

“Wagga would be the furthest I have to travel – that’s three hours,” he said.

“I’m really loving it and I’ll go anywhere to take a drive. There’s been times when I’ve only had one, but I’m happy to get the opportunities.”

 

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink