16 year old reinswoman Bronte Miller opened her winning account when she registered her first driving win at her ninth race drive in Hobart on Sunday night aboard the Ben Yole-trained Jakes A Joy.
Settling well back in the field the pacer flew home out wide over the concluding stages to score by 10.1 metres over the stablemate One Of The Lads and Miller was pleased to notch up her first driving win.
“It was a very good feeling and I enjoyed it a lot,” said Bronte about the win.
“It was great the owners allowed me to drive Jakes A Joy even though there was no advantage of using a claim in the race and I’m glad I could reward them with a win,” added the winning driver.
Miller obtained her trial license earlier this year and only had her first race drive in Devonport earlier this month.
Her interest in horses started at an early age.
“I was involved in the pony trots for a while, but I have been involved in Pony Club since I was four years old and I’m still doing it,” she said.
Her parents Clayton and Claire Miller have been involved in the industry training a few pacers and Bronte has always been around the horses, but it was while on school holidays last year that her interest and development in racing grew.
“During the school holidays this time last year I started working for Ben Yole during the weekends and holidays, and I have had his support along with his team, and without that, I don’t think I would be where I am now with my driving,” explained Bronte.
The year 10 student plans to continue with her education for years 11 and 12, with her current career aspirations already being considered.
“I’m thinking about teaching, but I hope to be involved with racing as a hobby,” Bronte said.
Bronte has had a total of 10 drives for one win and three placings and given the strength of female drivers across the driving ranks throughout Australia at present, who knows maybe more members of Pony Club associations will follow her into harness racing.
