Madison Kyle gets first driving win

By Jonny Turner

Taking her opportunities led to Madison Kyle notching her first win in the sulky with Dame West in just her fourth race drive.

The 20-year-old gave herself an early 21st present when her inch-perfect steer saw both horse and driver break their maiden on the Riverton grass.

When trainer Gavin Johnston needed a driver for Dame West at the Balfour trials late last year, Kyle jumped at the opportunity and they pair have turned into a formidable and winning.

“My sister Tash was actually meant to drive her at Balfour but she ended up on another horse, so I said I would.”

“We got on good that day and ended up winning and Gavin said, let me know when you get your licence.”

“Craig Ferguson had been driving her and he had his one in the race last week, so I was able to get on her.”

“It is awesome of Gavin to give me the opportunity.”

With her victory, Kyle became the fourth member of her immediate family to become a race-winning driver, joining father Alister, mother Vicky and sister Natasha.

“I could hear Mum and Dad yelling from the stands.”

“Tash was over the moon for me too, she had her horse in the race and she pulled up beside me after the finish.”

Kyle and Dame West produced an excellent second when they first linked up at the races last week.

Punters weren’t scared to support the rookie driver, sending Dame West out a hot $2 favourite.

“I was so nervous today because everyone I talked to said you’re hot favourite and you should be winning that.”

“I was saying don’t put too much pressure on me guys, it is only my fourth race.”

“She was going well when she got halfway down I was thinking gee this is a long straight, but she kept going.”

“It was an awesome feeling to win.”

Kyle isn’t quite working full-time in the harness racing industry, but that is nearly certain to change eventually.

“I work at Kirk Larsen’s six mornings a week, plus I have got my duty manager’s licence and work with the ILT a few nights a week as well.”

“I would definitely love to be able to do the horses full-time, but at the moment it is good to have something to fall back on if things don’t work out for some reason.”

With the first goal of her career ticked off at Riverton on Sunday, Kyle’s next goal is to pick up as many outside drives as possible.

With her Riverton victory, Kyle helped Johnstone win his first race since Lets Go Ceilidh scored at Gore in 2013.