Ben Battle all smiles at the presentation
It might have been April Fools’ Day, and it might have felt just a bit flat, for many, after all the drama and excitement of the previous week’s Crown finals. But last Wednesday’s Bathurst meeting was quite the opposite for Ben Battle, who entered the record books when he drove a winner at his first race drive.
Pass The Magic ($24.80) started from inside the second line in the 1730 metres 3YO event, and Battle gave the Passmaster Hanover filly a perfect trip. He settled behind the leader Redbank Harry, slipped off the markers mid-race when the speed broke up the field, and eased off the leaders’ backs turning for home to score an authoritative win.
Allnight Kiss (Bernie Hewitt) and Redbank Harry (Mat Rue) filled the placings, to make it a trifecta for the Georges Plains stable, and an even sweeter victory.
“I was given my clearance to drive on the previous Friday, so on Monday we put in the driver change, and then I was set to go,” said a still-excited Battle, who admitted to “taking a look at the race video a few times” since the event.
The twenty-year-old from Lyndhurst (between Blayney and Cowra) contracted this infectious disease called “trotting” when he was a student in year ten.
“My family was at the races one night because our neighbour Ken Davis was racing a few trotters at Bathurst at the time, and I helped out afterwards. I loved it straight away, and changed my mind then and there about going into a trade when I finished school.”
Battle began working for Georges Plains trainer Bernie Hewitt as soon as he completed his HSC in 2012. Two years and a thorough grounding later, he’s had the dream start to his driving career.
Ken Davis, who these days lives in a far warmer Queensland, was on the phone to Ben not long after the race, to pass on congratulations from himself and wife Diane.
Coincidentally, at the previous week’s Mayoral Honourees Dinner, Chris Alford recalled winning at his first race drive Spring Vance, back at Wangaratta in 1984.
Ben’s in pretty select company here. As well, the person he “blames’ for getting him started, Ken Davis, was chiefly responsible for the establishment of the Gold Crown and then its honourees, such as Chris Alford. A rather neat link, even for an April 1 story!
Other winners on what became quite a special night were:
A Mighty Storm ($15.10, Wayne Watterson), all the way in a 2260 metres C1, in 1:58.2, home in 57.0 seconds;
Anika Magic ($2.50 favourite, Amy Day) in a second division of this class, the first leg of a driving double for Day;
Attorney Stride ($1.70 favourite, Steve Turnbull), leading most of the way in a C2-C3 2260 metres ;
Skewbridge Road ($37.90), outstaying its rivals in the 2260 metres fast-class, to complete a double for trainer Steve Turnbull and driver Amy Day;
Soeur De Lyse ($4.90, Ben Settree/Mat Rue), surrendering the lead and making good use of the passing lane, for delighted owner Len Favier;
Rays Choice ($11.30, Leigh Davis), bouncing back from an unlucky run in a Crown consolation to lead all the way, for the dairy farmers from Browns Creek – near Lyndhurst!
Hitman Huey ($8.10, Wendy/Emma Turnbull), storming home out wide in a C 0 sprint, making it four last-race wins so far in 2015 for “the punters’ friend”.
Bathurst race tomorrow night,with the feature Western Districts Derby sure to attract a very strong field in a year of above-average three-year-olds.
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 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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