Winning finale to first year in WA for Tom Nally

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

A year after leaving Southland, Tom Nally has produced a career highlight in Western Australia.

Just before Christmas the 23-year-old took out the first ever Novice Driver Series.

The series, launched in January, included 18 drivers and 20 races for the state's emerging talent, with Nally clinching overall victory by winning on the final night at Northam with Galvinston John.

His final tally of 129 points saw him just edge past closest rivals Liam Elliott and Abbey Vidovich.

"I had to win it (the last race) so it was a great result," Nally said.

"The series was all about giving young drivers the chance to drive different horses and for other trainers as well."

The win caps off quite a 12 months.

He moved to WA last November and got a job with the powerhouse Greg and Skye Bond stable.

"I start work at 5am and I'm a stablehand pretty much and I break in the young ones."

"There's also racing about four times a week so it's pretty full on.

Nally is "third or fourth" in the pecking order for the stable, behind the likes of Deni Roberts, Stuart MacDonald and Dylan Egerton-Green.

"On average I get between 12 and 15 drives a week." 

Since moving there he's driven in four Group races including a fifth with When In Vegas in the Group 1 Western Australia Derby.

"The racing is vey different here, it's very aggressive and wheel to wheel."

"I have learnt so much and become a better driver."

"At Gloucester Park for instance you have to be on speed or have a very good horse that can come off speed."

"Form is also really important here, doing the form and watching a lot of replays."

2026 is all about "driving more winners and getting more Group 1 drives".

"I do lose my claim in about five months."

That's when he graduates from the junior to the open ranks.

Introduced to the sport through his grandfather Vin Nally, he worked for Hamish Hunter of Franco Ledger fame for six years.

Among his 23 wins as a junior was Indulgence winning at massive odds for Hunter at Winton in 2021.

The horse was the outsider in the 13-strong field, paying $141. 

Just recently married, Nally and wife Agnes, who is a nurse, are loving their life out west though his Southland "Rs" can be a problematic.

"The Australians have trouble understanding me. I just roll my words out and they say 'what?'"

"So I am learning to talk slower!"