By Duane Ranger
Sean Grayling couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season.
The 20-year-old nailed his first driving double and achieved his most memorable win at Alexandra Park last Friday night.
He now has two wins from nine drives this season and is well on the way to achieving his season target of 15.
“Last season was my best with nine wins, but none of them were as rewarding as winning behind The Faithful last Friday. Zac (Butcher) and I cleared out and I managed to hold him out by a neck. There were more than five lengths back to the third horse.
“Stablemate Arden’s Choice was the favourite and we got the run to hold him out. Zac is a real inspiration. He always gives me good advice and I like to listen to what he has got to say because he’s one of the best going around,” Grayling said.
“In saying that we are both so competitive and love to beat each other at anything – table tennis, pool, squash and even touch rugby. You name it,” he added.
Grayling and Butcher are employed by Barry and Katrina Purdon at Clevedon. After almost five years working for the Hall-of-Fame horseman, Grayling still pricks himself regularly to see if he still has his ‘job from heaven’.
“I wouldn’t want to be working for anyone else. This is where I want to be. Every single day I learn something new with Barry. You can see why he’s one of the greatest. He gives so much attention to detail and is not afraid to pull me aside and give me advice.
“I will never stop listening to him. On race-nights he usually comes up to me and talks to me about my drives. Dad (Tony) is my biggest supporter but sometimes he is kinder to me with advice simply because he’s my father.
“Barry isn’t like that. He says it like it is and at the same time isn’t afraid to praise you when you do well,” said Grayling.
The South Auckland junior also drove the Ray Darby trained Bro Fawkes S to win the first event last Friday.
“I’ve been driving for just over three seasons now and that was my first double. I’m also very thankful to Ray for his continued support of me. Amanda Kiddie has also been very loyal to me. She has been huge.
“In fact I want to thank all the trainers and owners who have the confidence to put me on their horses. I’m learning and improving all the time and have the best possible mentor to point me in the right direction,” the former Pukekohe High School student said.
“My double came a month after the anniversary of my Mum’s passing four years ago. I still feel very close to her and she’s always on my mind. I know she is always with me and that gives me great satisfaction,” Grayling said.
Grayling has a chance to further his season tally when he gets behind the Kiddie trained Brookby Prince (race 4) and the Purdon trained Aliante (race 7) at Alexandra Park this Friday night.
“Aliante has won her last two starts and rates a good chance while Brookby Prince has drawn well and is having his second run back after a six-month spell.
“I always drive to win. I’m a competitor and every time I get in the bike I only have sights on saluting the judge.
“My target is 15 wins this season and of course I would love to qualify for the New Zealand and Australasia Champs. I only just missed out on the New Zealands last year so I’m determined to qualify this season,” said Grayling.
“But one of my main targets is to win the Alexandra Park Junior Driving Premiership. I wasn’t happy with where I finished last season and really want to win it in 2016-2017,” he added.
Grayling won five races at Alexandra Park last season and finished fifth behind Jack MacKinnon, Kyle Marshall, Andre Poutama, and Tony Cameron.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
