Taylor to take on the Aussies

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

At 16-years-old Taylor Newton is about to take an important step along the way to fulfilling her harness racing dream.

The teenager, who's a member of Kumeu Kidz Kartz, has been selected to compete at the Queensland Mini Trot Championship at Albion Park in Brisbane on July 18, the same night as the champion Leap To Fame and co are expected to clash in the Inter Dominion finals.

"I'm very excited," says Taylor, "I can't wait to see which pony I get and to get involved. It's going to be such an experience."

Taylor will take on the best young drivers from all over Australia.

A Year 11 student, Taylor started racing Kidz Kartz in 2018 and has since had a number of good results, including being named Driver of the Year at Alexandra Park and winning the Kumeu Last Chance and the Pak'n Save Cups. 

She's not from a racing background though "horses have been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember."

"I grew up around horses and love spending time with them. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time being led around on my pony Tank and my mum’s horse Dudley."

This year she has mainly driven Blaze.

"He's super fast and a lot of fun."

But he can be a bit wayward.

"He is improving and I'm hoping next season I can get him going better, with fewer reactions over small things and just keeping his focus on me and where he is going."

Sponsored by Stonewall Stud, Taylor would like to follow the example set by former Kidz Kartz drivers like Zachary Butcher, Ben Hope, Sheree and Kerryn Tomlinson and Kate Coppins.

"I really want this (harness racing) to be my full-time career."

Certainly the next fortnight will give her a front row seat to what racing at the top level is all about and Taylor will have her support crew, including her Mum and Dad, cheering her on all the way.