SO much change can take place in the space of twelve months, especially when you’re sixteen years old. During the Golden Guitar carnival last season junior driver Tom Ison failed to get a drive at the meeting when the heats were conducted nor did he get a drive on final night.
Fast forward to 2016 and now seventeen Tom is right amongst the action, he had six drives on Golden Nugget night, three drives at the meeting when the heats of the Golden Guitar were held and will drive in races at the feature meeting on Friday night.
Ison believes the arrival of Graham and Jenny Moon to Tamworth has been the biggest reason he has received more opportunities.
“Yeah I think so, Graham and Jenny have been great to me since they arrived, they were using my older brother Sam a bit but now I tend to get most of the drives for them which is good,” Ison said.
“I’m driving Franco Seville for them in the Tamworth Cup, his run in the Golden Nugget was very good and he has got a better draw this time but there is a little bit more depth in the race this time as well.”
Ison was given the opportunity to compete in the 2015 HRNSW Rising Star Series which enabled him to learn a lot from other junior drivers across the state. Prior to last year’s Golden Guitar meeting Ison had only driven eight winners in his career and since then has added another nineteen to his tally.
“My best chance on Friday night would be another one for Graham – Hayabusa Flyer – it ran fifth in a heat of the Golden Guitar and moves to the front row this time but I think most of my drives are each way chances with a bit of luck.
“I’m driving Tepary for Dad and we got her off the Moon’s a couple of starts ago, she did a pretty good at her first run for us then won last time out.
“I think she can win another couple of races around here, especially being a mare with the drop back and then my junior claim.”
While Ison will not be driving in the feature event he has nominated the McCarthy family as the people to beat in the Golden Guitar.
“I think one of the McCarthys will win it, John’s horse went really well in the heats and ran a good time but it has drawn out wider than the horse Luke will be driving, it is a pretty strong race.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
