Danielle Hill equalling the greats

Champion reinswoman Danielle Hill added another highlight to her impressive resume at Port Pirie on Friday by equalling the Australian driving record of six winners at a meeting.

Hill won the first five races on the program on Jacks Legacy ($6.10), Reva ($5), Badelaide ($4.40), Mymatethomo ($1.70 fav) and Ultimate Won ($3.40) then drove Queen Me ($1.30) in the final event to complete the six.

Hill became the 19th driver in Australia to achieve the feat, and interestingly, joined her brother Wayne which drove six at Victor Harbor on December 28, 2015 and also her partner David Harding, who drove six at Globe Derby Park on February 18, 2006.

Hill is only the second female driver to achieve the record with Kerryn Manning having done it three times, the most by any driver.

“I went to Port Pirie believing I had some nice drives, but never considered I could come away with six wins,” Hill said.

“It was a record I had on my bucket list, especially after Wayne did it at Victor Harbor.

“It was something he always had on his resume which I didn’t, and he used to let me know from time to time as we have a friendly rivalry.

“Actually, in the final race at Pirie, when we both knew I was going for six, Wayne led on Aguero, and when I came up to try and go to the lead he saw me and said, “oh no” or something like that.”

Wayne Hill congratulated Danielle on her achievement.

“Yes, it was something I was proud of that I had equalled the record and Dani had driven five a number of times but couldn’t get the six.

“Despite our sibling rivalry, I’m pleased for her, and really it is a record she should have, because she is such a great driver.

“I was aware when I was on Aguero she was going for six and when I led I thought I could leave her on five, but she came up quickly to tackle for the lead and I tried to hold her out, but my horse went a bit rough and she crossed to lead.

“Coming off the back I pulled him out to try and run her down and thought he was still a hope, but again he put in a couple of rough strides and she held us out.”

Hill has driven more than 100 winners in a season four times, and in 2015/2016 became the first female South Australian driver to top 200 wins in a season.

Her amazing weekend, with six wins at Port Pirie and three at Gawler on Sunday has catapulted her to the top of the 2017/2018 SA Drivers premiership with 85 wins, three clear of Ryan Hryhorec, so it would appear a foregone conclusion she will top the 100 mark for a fifth time.

Hill has built a brilliant resume including being the inaugural Jim Hurley Medal winner and also collecting the Tanya Denver Award which recognised her as the state’s top female sportsperson.

In 2009, at the Gold Coast, Hill landed the Australasian Young Drivers Championship beating a group of drivers including present day stars such as Dexter Dunn, Nathan Williamson, and Amanda Turnbull.

Her continued records are remarkable considering Hill now drives with just one eye after an horrific fall at Globe Derby.

Her world changed on a Monday afternoon, May 17 in 2010 at Globe Derby Park when Puaxtacy crashed to the track which resulted in the loss of her right eye plus facial fractures to her cheek, jaw and nose. She also suffered bleeding to the brain.

Her injuries eventually healed but despite a lot of hard work, surgeons couldn’t repair the break of the optic nerve to the brain.

According to Danni, out of adversity came a treasure.

During her recovery time, Danni and partner, champion reinsman David Harding, celebrated the arrival of a daughter Brooke.

“Before the accident I had no plans of being a mum, now I can’t understand how I could’ve wanted anything else.”

Also, Hill says driving is through a necessity to earn money.

“I actually love training and driving is the by-product. Make no mistake, I enjoy driving but I just get more satisfaction from training.”

While she might be a somewhat reluctant reinswoman, Hill continues to add to her driving resume, especially at a time when the drivers are wearing the teal pants raising money for the Women’s Cancer Foundation.

Last year, Hill was the most successful driver throughout Australia with 32 wins during the six-week period earning $7,040, with the money from HRSA, UBETas well as personal sponsorship from Carter Racing.

This year, Hill has 25 wins following her treble at Gawler on Sunday, to again lead the Australasian driving list collecting $5,000.