The Life of Riley

Eighteen year old apprentice electrician Riley Black took a half day off work today to drive his first winner at Ascot Park.

“It’s surreal really. Still a bit of a shock. It panned out beautifully. I got a drag into it from about the 400, he had too much speed and got over the top of them,” he said after reining Train Station (Bettor’s Delight) home for his father Alister.

TRAIN STATION REPLAY

It’s been a big twelve months for the young horseman.

He started work at Aotea Electrical in October last year and was named New Zealand Harness Racing Cadet of the Year earlier this year.

“That was the pretty big thrill of my career, but this is right up there with it. To get my first winner with my dad training it was pretty special.”  

What made it a real family affair was that his mother Sheree had a share in the gelding and Riley’s great grandfather Ron Hamilton who lives next door at the Bupa Retirement Village, was there to see the win as well.

“We were expecting a forward performance from him (Train Station) because he’d been working well during the week. It was good the whole family could come along. A massive thank you to all the owners and my Dad for having faith in me to give me the drive. It was just great.”

Although Riley remained very calm on the track, the same can’t be said for his father.

“Very nervous. My gut was turning as soon as I pulled out of the stable this morning. I was giving the horse a yell all the way up the home straight and had a proud Dad moment and a tear in the eye.”

Train Station went into today’s race fresh, having last raced in mid July and not having  been sighted at any trials or workouts.

“We’ve given him a couple of private runs up at Winton. Riley drove him both times and I drove the GP. I thought his work on Sunday was the best since I’ve had him in work.”

Ron trained and drove for many years and his first winner as a junior driver was at Winton with Coylton in March 1951.

Alister’s first winner as a junior was twenty five years ago with Shoshoni Sunrise, trained by Alan Paisley.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink