Tony Cameron celebrates 200th driving win in style

Tony Cameron celebrated a career milestone at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night, bringing up driving win number 200 aboard Regal Girl.

Fittingly, the milestone came behind a horse trained by his employer and long-time supporter Tony Herlihy, with Cameron producing a picture-perfect drive to get the job done in Race 4, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap Trot.

Starting from a 20m handicap, Regal Girl stepped away well and Cameron was able to work his way into the one-one, where the pair enjoyed an economical trip.

From there, Cameron bided his time before making his move at the top of the straight.

Regal Girl quickly put herself into contention and dug deep all the way to the line, holding off the late challengers to score by a nose.

REGAL GIRL REPLAY

Cameron had gone into the night knowing the milestone was within reach and thought Regal Girl was capable of delivering it if things went their way.

“I stepped good with that mare, and I had thought if we were handy enough we’d go close, and it worked out that way.”

Despite travelling like a winning chance throughout, Cameron wasn’t prepared to call the race early.

“When I crossed the line!” he laughed when asked when he thought he had the race won.

The victory brought up win number 200 for the Auckland-based horseman, who has spent much of his career working alongside Herlihy and has become a familiar face in the northern driving ranks.

Among those 200 wins is a Group 1 victory, with Cameron securing the biggest win of his career aboard Inasinglemoment in the Northern Trotting Derby.

But reaching his latest milestone in Herlihy’s colours made Thursday night’s victory particularly fitting.

“It couldn’t have worked out better, they’ve been big supporters of mine so it was pretty cool to do it in Tony’s colours.”

Cameron was quick to acknowledge the trainers who have supported him throughout his career.

“It’s really good to get, big thanks to Tony and Suzanne, same with Bernie and Michelle, and anyone else that I’ve won for throughout the 200!”

While Cameron knew the milestone was approaching, his fiancée Georgia had been keeping a much closer eye on the tally.

“I knew it wasn’t far away, Georgia kept reminding me. She was tracking it more than I was!”

“She’s pretty happy about it, especially with Regal Girl being one of her favourites here at the barn.”

With 200 now safely in the books, Cameron isn’t putting a ceiling on where the tally could end up.

“I’d like to just keep getting as many winners as I can, some more Group 1s hopefully!”

 

by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand