By Amanda Rando
Queensland’s young gun duo Brittany Graham and Trent Moffat would be in demand to work with leading North American stables if they decided on an international career down the track, according to leading ex-pat Aussie trainer Ross Croghan.
New Jersey based Croghan mentored the two harness drivers during their one month educational stay in the US.
“What a pleasure it was to have Britt & Trent stay with us for a month,” Croghan said. “We had a great time and watching Trent get up for second at Yonkers, it was like winning the Hambletonian, yelling & screaming all down the stretch.”
Brittany and Trent visited Croghan’s stable and helped out the barns of Tony Alagna, Ron Burke and Jimmy Takter, three trainers at the top of their game.
“What impressed me most was the way they conducted themselves wherever they went, I think all of us would love them to be on our teams.” Croghan said.
Croghan also thanked trainer Darren Cassar for arranging drives for Brittany and Trent.
“He is a fellow Aussie and acted like one,” Croghan said. “I know that they really appreciated what they just experienced and also the sponsor that made this all happen.”
Sponsor Kevin Seymour thanked Racing Queensland and Mercedes Benz Toowong for their support in establishing the inaugural Queensland young achiever award and said he could not be prouder of the way the Brittany and Trent represented our state and our sport.
“They were both achievers on and off the track and made us all proud and kept us interested in what they were experiencing and learning overseas, great young ambassadors for Queensland and harness racing,” Seymour said.
Both young drivers had the opportunity to experience working top horses and driving in races in the US. Brittany drove former Queensland pacer Montana Pablo in a race at Harrah’s Philadelphia (Chester) and drove in a qualifier at the Meadowlands and Trent drove Just Like Magic in two races at Yonkers. They also both took charge of the US champion Foiled Again, the winner of $7 million and several other high profile horses on the training track during their stay.
Brittany also became a bit of a young celebrity in harness racing circles during her stay. She featured on US harness racing television with interviews at the Meadowlands Pace and on PA Harness Week, interviewed by, harness racing princess of US harness racing, Heather Vitale on the weekly standardbred TV show.
Graham and Moffat are back driving on Brisbane tracks this week. Graham resumed driving at Redcliffe last night and Moffat drove in last Saturday night’s Redcliffe Cup and steered home a winning double last night at Redcliffe.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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