By Matt Markham
He’s already made a notable splash in the training ranks, but Josh Kennett harbours no desires to be just a one trick pony.
Since a young age the now 22-year-old has been determined that he was going to make a good fist of the harness racing caper and despite his still relative naivety to the industry the Waimate native is achieving his goals.
In two full seasons of training he’s already picked up 17 winners and on Sunday at Timaru he took the next step and picked up his first victory as a driver when he calmly handled One Over Dover to victory in the maiden trot.
“It’s a pretty big thrill to get my first win so quickly,’’ Kennett said.
“And to be able to enjoy the success from the sulky was something different and something I really enjoyed.
“I was pretty pumped after the race that’s for sure.’’
This season is Kennett’s first full season as a licenced junior driver.
He had a handful of drives last season under his graduation licence, but progressing into the junior ranks was always the goal.
“I’ve grown up around racehorses and always wanted to be out their driving at the races.
“It’s one of those things that once you get hooked on, you just can’t shake.
“I’m quite keen to give it a crack this season.’’
The first driving win came at a time when Kennett is beginning a new phase of his career in harness racing.
He’s recently attached himself to the Southland stable of Nathan Williamson in an attempt to further his knowledge of both training and driving off one of New Zealand’s leading trainer/drivers.
“It all came out of the blue to be honest.
“Rory (McIlwrick) had left Nathan’s and he asked Dad (Craig) one day at the races if he thought I might be keen on heading down and working for him.
“Up until then I’d been milking cows and doing a bit of forestry work while training the team at Waimate.
“So when Nathan suggested it, I thought that it was a good chance to go and have a real crack and see how things panned out.
“I’ve been down here a couple of weeks and am really enjoying it.’’
Being domiciled in Southland while his racing team remains in Waimate has meant Kennett has had to rethink his approach to training his own team.
That will more than likely see Kennett and his father combine in a training partnership at some stage this season.
“I’ll bring a few horses down here hopefully in time, but with the likes of Valmagne, he really needs to be racing in Canterbury so there’s not much point in having him down here.
“Plus Dad does a lot of the work with him so it would be nice to see him get some of the credit for his success too.’’
Valmagne is the horse who shunted Kennett into the spotlight.
The Sundon gelding won on Show Day last year beating The Fiery Ginga – a huge thrill for Kennett and his family.
“He’s been great to me, we’ve had some problems with him though.
“He seemed to race really well in the Spring last season so hopefully he can find that form again.
“You really do have to catch him on the right day though.’’
In One Over Dover, Kennett has another potentially good horse.
The son of millionaire trotting mare, One Over Kenny, has had his problems too, but seems to be past them and has a bright future.
Although that future may unfold in the North Island.
“Lex and Heather Williams are quite keen to send him North to Tony Herlihy to make use of the good stakes up there.
“He’s got the raw potential and ability to be a really nice horse.
“Hopefully he will stay down here for the junior drivers’ race at Oamaru in a couple of weeks.’’
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
