7 February 2017
AMANDA RANDO | @Amanda_Rando
HE is currently one of the leading drivers in New South Wales and Kiwi reinsman Jack Trainor has no plans on heading back to his homeland anytime soon.
Especially as the 22-year-old is nearing the milestone of driving 200 winners in his succinct career.
Sitting on 197 wins, Trainor had a good kick start to his career in New Zealand while working for top trainer Cran Dalgety but it has been on this side of the Tasman that he has flourished.
“I worked at Cran’s for a long time during school holidays and then three years full time and I’ve had some great opportunities here in Australia,” Trainor said.
“One day I might train my own team of horses but at the moment I want to go full bore with my driving especially while I have my claim.
“Everything is going well here now and I want to make the most of it.”
Currently working as a stablehand for Blake Fitzpatrick, Trainor has one drive for the stable at Tabcorp Park Menangle today.
That being last start winner Annajodi in the Garrards Horse And Hound Pace (1609m).
“She won well first up but is up in grade for this race and draw wide in barrier nine,” Trainor said.
The rest of Trainor’s engagements at the meeting are catch drives and this includes his drive on the David Thorn-trained Blazing Terror in the Allied Express Claiming Pace (2300m).
Trainor won on board this gelding last week at Menangle.
“Blazing Terror is probably my best chance of the day,” Trainor said.
“He’s drawn well in barrier two and went nice last week.
“This race is a bit harder but the way he hit the line the other day he should put in a good run.”
Blazing Terror rated 1:57.7 to win last week’s 2300m challenge, pushing his earnings to $200,018.
Trainor’s other two drives at the meeting are with Cloudin Up in the Canadian Club Pace (1609m) and Marshal Dale later in the program in the Wards Accounting Group Pace (1609m).
Trainor is currently ranked in the top 10 drivers in the state.
Last season he drove 60 winners and the season before drove 78 winners and won the NSW Rising Stars Series.
“When I first came to Australia I worked for Shane and Lauren Tritton,” Trainor said.
“The Trittons were so dominate and I thought it was worth making the move over from NZ.
“I then started working for Kevin Pizzuto and I got a good push a long while I was there and drove some nice horses like Alta Jerome who I was lucky to drive right through his grades.”
PHOTO: Jack Trainor (right) after winning the NSW Rising Stars pictured with HRNSW Board Member Rod Smith.
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 an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au • @Amanda_Rando