Adrian McElhinney enjoying his first victory
Adrian McElhinney has watched his older brother Glenn win countless races for years. Glenn McElhinney has been one of the state’s leading drivers, steering more than 50 winners every season since 2001/02. On Monday afternoon at Fairfield Adrian got the chance to experience the winning feeling that his brother has enjoyed more than 1300 times in his career for the very first time when Elle Of A Horse won race six.
McElhinney is a full time interstate truck driver and most of his time is spent on the highway rather than the paceway.
“I love spending time with the horses and any spare time I do get I normally go to Peter Carson’s and lend a hand, I’ve been doing it for years,” McElhinney said.
“I’ve been involved in harness racing for 37 years and to get the monkey off my back and win a race is a real thrill.”
Since the 1986/87 season McElhinney has only had 50 race drives and up until Monday, a second on Pocket Of Dreams at Penrith on May 3rd 2003 was his best result.
“I didn’t get beaten very far at all when I ran second at Penrith but that seems like a lifetime ago, I would love to be involved in the sport fulltime but the bills have to be paid so I drive trucks.”
“When I got the split up the inside on Monday, Elle Of A Horse raced through and when I was in front halfway up the straight I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry but there was definitely a tear in my eye as I hit the line.”
McElhinney has now had three drives on Elle Of A Horse.
“I’ve always had a bit of time for her, I have driven her in trackwork and she is now a mare that I am never going to forget.”
“I’m actually on holidays at the moment and don’t have to go back to work until next week so the win is going to make it an even better break.”
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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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Greg Hayes
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Position:
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Media Co-ordinator
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Phone:
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(02) 9722 6600
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Email:
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ghayes@hrnsw.com.au
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