Gemma Thornley gets win 100

By Mike Love 

There was both relief and elation for Canterbury driver Gemma Thornley when she chalked up her 100th success at Motukarara on Easter Monday.

Her win with Franco Tim in the Crate and Barrel/Alpine Inn Hanmer/Mark Tweedy Mobile Pace was her fifth with the seven-year-old son of Sportswriter. 

She has driven him in all those wins and the fact that Franco Tim’s trainer, Chris Thornley, is Gemma’s father added that extra magic to the moment. 

She had been stuck on 99 since Cinderella Franco won at Cromwell in early January. 

“It’s been a relief to get it,” said Gemma Thornley. 

“He means a lot to me that horse. Mum and dad were both there, and it was on my home track, so it couldn’t have worked out better.”

Thornley allowed Franco Tim to use his customary gate speed to lead early, before securing the trail behind Evidently. Once Blair Orange and Magical Max took the lead at the 1200m, Franco Tim and Thornley were locked up three-back the fence. Thornley then executed a gap perfectly to breeze by through the middle, scoring by one length from Magical Max and Happy Harriet. 

“He was travelling nicely. The gaps opened up and he hit them really well.”

Thornley, who currently works for Greg and Ben Hope at Woodend Beach, acknowledges the support she’s had from family and previous employers. 

 “I’ve been lucky to have such a good support network. Mark Jones and Steven McRae, who I worked for, have both helped my career immensely." 

Thornley drove her first winner Nemera Franco for trainer Steven McRae at Banks Peninsula in 2020. 

With Thornley’s win she now joins her aunty Olivia Thornley and uncle Sam Thornley, recent ex-juniors, into the open driving ranks. 

“Hopefully I’ve proved myself enough to keep getting drives and moving forward.” 

Thornley says her driving highlight so far has been winning the Group 3 Bulk Liquid Solutions Gallagher Gold Cup at Omakau back in January this year.

“I am getting a great opportunity driving horses like Midnight Dash, in that company. Winning the Group 3 race at Omakau, and also driving him in the Dominion have definitely been big highlights.”

Thornley will reunite with Midnight Dash this Friday night at Addington Raceway in Race 6, the Stevie and Maree Thank Corcoran French Handicap Trot over 2600m, off a 40m handicap. 

“It will be challenging for him from that mark, but he seems really bright.”

Thornley’s also links up with Mystery Beach for Mark Jones in Race 1, the Ricoh Handicap Pace over 2600m, off a 10m handicap. 

“I don’t mind his chances, if the right horse shows up, he’ll be competitive.”