Barrytown's fifth win makes it 50 for Harrison

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

The irony of her 50th career win at Ashburton yesterday wasn't lost on Riley Harrison.

The 24-year-old brought up the milestone with perennial place-getter Barrytown in the Jackson Spreading Mobile Trot.

"It's funny that a horse that nearly always finds one to beat him got me my 50th win," she says.

And the stats don't lie.

Barrytown has had 95 starts for trainer Graeme Telfer, for five wins and 43 placings, including 28 seconds.

"He does have a few tricks but he won well, having to sit parked," says Harrison.

Drawn the outside of the mobile over 1700 metres Harrison pressed forward to sit outside the favourite The Merc. She then edged ahead of him with 200 to go before holding out a fast finishing Switch On to win by three quarters of a length.

"I knew I was close to my 50th, a few people had mentioned it," says Harrison.

Her first victory was with Outamyway at Addington in August 2023.

As for her favourite?

"That would have to be Frazzled in the (2025) Northern Trotting Oaks, winning a Group race was pretty special."

Harrison has worked for the premiership-leading Robert and Jenna Dunn for nearly six years and has driven many quality horses for the stable this year including It's Tough and Arma Hunter as well as getting an increasing number of outside drives.

Such has been her season that she has 11 wins in 2026, just seven short of her personal best haul last year.

"I'm on track to get a better result - I'd like to get quite a bit higher if I can."

Right now she is sixth in the Junior Drivers' premiership, with a chance to add to it with the Dunn-trained Amici at Rangiora on Sunday.