Not every harness racing driver can lay claim to winning a race at the first meeting they compete at but 20-year old Stephanie Lippiatt celebrated the achievement when she scored on Flying Cameron for trainer Noel Morris at Penrith last week. Stephanie’s long term partner David Morris is a successful driver and it was through their relationship that she became involved in the sport.
“My parents bred heavy horses when I was younger so I grew up around horses, just not harness horses but I was quickly introduced to them when David and I started going out,” Stephanie said.
“It is quite funny because when I first started jogging a few for David I hated how the rocks keep getting kicked back in my face and I told him that I would never drive another horse.”
After working for several different stables, Stephanie decided she would like to get a licence to drive in races and went about driving in trials however was forced to take a break from driving after discovering she was pregnant.
“When David and I found out that I was pregnant I think I had only eight or nine trials left so I had to put it on the backburner for a while but I think I was back driving in trials two weeks after I had Riley so I was still very keen.
“It didn’t take me long to complete the rest of my trials and then I finally got the chance to compete last Thursday night in two different races.”
Stephanie drove Battling Boy in race five and Flying Cameron in the seventh event.
“Battlin Boy was my first drive and I was really happy with his effort to finish fourth, I got him off the arm well and he was able to lead so I was pretty happy for him to finish so close to them.
“I wasn’t expecting Flying Cameron to win but I did think he was a pretty good chance and when he won I was ecstatic, my whip went a little bit crazy too.”
After driving her first winner Stephanie is keen to get back out on the track soon.
“I want to prove to myself that my first couple of drives weren’t a fluke and I think I’ll have a couple of drives at Penrith again next week.
The victory was an early 21st present for Stephanie as she is due to celebrate her birthday this weekend.
“After the win I went up to Mudgee and spent some time with my parents, they only recently moved up that way from Badgerys Creek.”
Greg Hayes
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
