Indigenous drivers heading for 'big M'

Jimmy Brown and Sheezallattitude - APG 3YO Fillies Final. Photo by Gary Wild.

He finished second-placed in last year’s Indigenous Drivers Invitational but Joel Pengilly is determined to finish one closer in this year’s edition. 

To be held at Tabcorp Park Menangle’s Fisher’s Ghost meeting on Sunday, October 28 - the club’s first Sunday meeting for several months – it will be one of the biggest races Pengilly has contested in some time.

Having been on the sidelines for seven months due to illness, the Shanes Park reinsman is looking forward to making a comeback in the sulky.

“I’ll definitely be driving in the Indigenous race,” he said.

“I have my first drive in seven months at Menangle on Tuesday so I should be spot on for the Indigenous race.”

Pengilly is one of six drivers to be confirmed for the Michael Brown Planning Strategies-sponsored penalty-free event.

Others secured for the $10,000 feature include last year’s inaugural winner Bruce O’Brien along with David Caffyn, Jimmy Brown and Ricky Potts who all competed in that race too as well as North Albury reinsman Royce Gregory Jack.

And contrary to popular opinion, this race is not put on just for local identity Jimmy Brown, one of Australia’s most accomplished indigenous reinsman.

Yet the talented Brown admits he would love to win the race.

Last year the best Brown could manage was fifth with Manhattan Cruzer beaten about 17 metres by Eloquent Babe, driven by Bruce O’Brien.

This year all Brown wants is a decent horse - and revenge.

“I’ve always been in awe of the Maltese drivers when they have their annual invitational race at Fairfield each year and I’m glad Aboriginal drivers now have their opportunity,” Brown said.

For the other remaining spots the New South Wales Harness Racing Club would like drivers of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island heritage to come forward.

For more information contact NSWHRC Racing Manager David Wonson on 0438398251.