Phoebe Betts is up for her biggest challenge

For Bathurst trainer and driver Phoebe Betts this Saturday night could well be her most memorable night in her short but successful career.

Her filly Wallaby Way lines up in the Group 1 $150,000 Alabar Farms Gold Tiara Final having drawn the pole.

Phoebe is steeped in harness racing having had the support and encouragement of her parents Graham and Monica. It was always going to be a case of Phoebe becoming involved in harness racing.

I went through the mini trotters when I was younger and then I started to work for Chris and Anthony Frisby while I was still at school.

While both Mum and Dad train I work with Mum and together we have 13 pacers in work. We have our own track to work on and only go to Bathurst for trials and races.

It’s an early start, I normally commence working a few of my own and then I still to Chris and Anthony Frisby to work their horses and after that I finish up with our own horses back home. Yes it’s a long day but it’s worth it and that’s what we’re here for.

Betts obtained Wallaby Way as a foal when she purchased her and her dam The Secret Mouse together.

I used to help the Turnbulls and they trained her. She wore a lot of gear and did plenty wrong. I didn’t like the mother that much but there was something about the foal that I decided to buy them.

The Secret Mouse also has a Cannonball yearling colt.

Probably the way this filly has turned out you’d want to keep him.

Wallaby Way was unhobbled early in her career. But she couldn’t handle her gait. Betts explained that she threw the hobbles back on and she goes like a machine without them.

When she comes back she will be better without them. She’ll be more mature to race as well.

She definitely on the bigger side. In her Heat she I knew she could run a big race and that she wouldn’t disgrace herself. She never wanted to let that leader to get too far away and chased her all the way down the home straight.

There’s no pressure on me as I own her. To have her in it’s a massive thrill.

We’ll see how she gets through on Saturday. I’d like to win a race as a two year old and get a bonus. Then we’ll give her a break and bring her back for the New South Wales bred classics later in the season although the fields will be very strong.

Currently in the stable Betts outlined her team.

We have no worldbeaters but some handy three year olds who are all just coming back now.

In addition to her training Betts is busy as a freelance driver having recently achieved 200 wins as a reinswoman.

I drive a lot for Angela and Nathan Hurst and we’ve achieved lots of success.

I’m happy to poke along I take a team to the Queensland tracks each year. And just about every Friday I’m driving at Parkes and Dubbo.

With such dedication and commitment it’s no surprise that Betts has achieved so much in her short career. That determination and spirit will no doubt lead to more success and eventually an elusive Group event.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink

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