31 March 2023 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Tiarna Ford is used to wearing Tasmania’s green and gold.
In previous years, she has represented Tasmania in soccer and Aussie rules matches.
On Saturday, she will add harness racing to the list when she participates in the Australian Female Drivers Championship at Albion Park in Brisbane, where she will share state duties with Hannah Van Dongen.
“I’m really excited, but I’m a little bit nervous.
“I was doing a bit of form and looked at some of the times the horses go and thought that I’m not used to going that fast,” said Tiarna.
Both Tiarna and Hannah will compete in five of the six heats.
Tiarna is looking forward to driving Our Modern Minnie in heat six.
“She has won her last four starts, so there is a bit of pressure there,” she said.
But before Ford gets to Queensland, she will be a busy woman, with a drive in all eight races in Hobart on Friday night, labelling Lorimertyrrell as her best winning chance in race 5.
“I’m lucky Dylan (Tiarna’s brother) has Ionthebullion in the race, otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten the drive.
“She went good last start, she just got a soft run and was too strong.
“She had been racing some nice horses without much luck,” said the driver.
The Sunshine Beach mare is trained by Tiarna’s mother, Tammy Langley, and if the emergency doesn’t gain a run, she will start from barrier four in the 1609m event.
“I think we have to push forward over the mile and try to land in a handy position, and going off last start she should be hard to beat again,” said the driver.
Friday’s eight-race Hobart card commences at 18:12.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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