By Matt Markham
Todd Quate won’t be forgetting Cup Week 2015 anytime soon.
For many the memories of harness racing’s greatest week will centre around the efforts of the plethora of stars on show, but for Quate his greatest memory came in the maiden trot at the low key Ashburton meeting on the Thursday.
It was there were Quate made the biggest statement in his career thus far when driving Ruthless Success to victory – the first driving win of his career.
And to say the young man was pretty relieved about it would be an understatement.
“It’s been a while coming,’’ he said after the race. “But it’s pretty good to have the monkey off the back finally.’’
His first winner came at drive 58, so Quate’s frustrations prior to last Thursday are understandable.
A staff member of the Terry and Glenys Chmiel stable, Quate has built up a wealth of knowledge in a reasonably short time in the industry through working with the likes of Bruce Hutton and Paul and Graham Court prior to joining the Chmiel team.
“I really enjoy working for all of them and learnt a lot of different things at each place. “I think in time I would like to go down the training path and having been able to pick up little things from everyone I have worked for and with I think that will help. “But for now I’m happy just driving the odd one at the races, hopefully the second win doesn’t take as long as the first.’’
Quate’s first winning drive, Ruthless Success came about through good luck. He stepped in to fill the void on the Kevin Fairbairn trained trotter one night at Addington when Sam Ottley was ill and has driven the five-year-old mare ever since.
“I owe a lot to Kevin for keeping me on her, he could have got plenty of other drivers to sit behind her but he’s been kind enough to let me keep the drive and I’m really happy I was able to get the right result for him.
“I thought she might be a chance because the field she was in against was nothing like what she has been racing and it all just panned out perfectly for us.
“It was a pretty big thrill, I won’t be forgetting this for a long time.’’
While Quate picked up his first, Brad Williamson grabbed his 100th later in the day.
Driving Dana Dynasty for an in-form Brent White, Williamson followed in the footsteps of his older brothers Nathan and Matty by picking up his 100th driving success while still a junior driver – a great feat for three brothers.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
