New name in northern driving ranks

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Harness racing's newest addition to the driving ranks, Ollie Gregory didn't have to wait long before making his race day debut.

After completing the mandatory 25 trial drives, the 19-year-old got his licence last Tuesday and was immediately in action at Alexandra Park three days later.

Appropriately his first drive was for David and Clare McGowan.

"They have been long-time supporters of mine," says Gregory, "Dave helped me right through Kidz Kartz."

The association came through a family connection.

"Dad had five per cent in a race horse with Dave about 10-12 years ago," says Gregory, "and that's how I got into it."

Gregory was "eight or nine" at the time.  

Among his Kidz Kartz achievements were a second in a New Zealand Cup. He also won the Franklin Cup as well as representing New Zealand across the Tasman.

"I left school at 16 and went to work for Ray Green for a year before I came to Bernie and Michelle's," he says.

He still works for the Hackett-Wallis barn now.

Along the way he's been the North Island's most promising cadet in 2024 and a finalist for NZ Stablehand of the Year in 2025.

On Friday he drove I'll Call You in the Border Fencing Services Metro Trotters (Heat 4). He started safely and was in the trail early before a brief mid race gallop. He then ran on ok into eighth, just ahead of Dave McGowan and Royal Secret.

It was a starting point for Gregory - the first drive, he hopes, of many.

"That is the goal."