17 July 2019
BATHURST REVIEW | AMY REES
SHE has only been driving in races for three weeks and young reinswoman Phoebe Betts secured her first winner at Bathurst on Wednesday night aboard pacer Sophie Brown.
After settling her drive three back on the pegs, the 16-year-old was able to work her way into the clear rounding the home bend before running away to score victory of more than eight metres.
Not only did Betts win her first race but also won bragging rights over older brother Jed (Betts) and father Graham (Betts) who also drove in the race.
“It was such a good feeling winning my first race, especially at my home track and beating the boys made it even better,” Betts said.
Betts has grown up surrounded by harness racing with her family being a big part of the industry for many years.
Although in high school, Betts always has time for the horses having worked for Steve and Nathan Turnbull previously as well as working horses for her mother Monica (Betts) along with her mini trot involvement.
And it is rare for Betts to miss a race meeting at Bathurst or surrounding tracks.
“I’m still at school but the horses are my passion,” Betts said.
“I’d love to keep driving some winners and aim to train my own team one day.”
Highly regarded by many in Bathurst, Betts appears to be on her way to a successful career in the industry.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au • @Amanda_Rando