By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Sixteen-year-old junior driver, Hannah Anforth, said February 29 to March 11, seemed to be the longest 12 days of her life.
“It felt like forever, but it was actually less than two weeks. I got my licence on February 29, and it was so good to get that first win out of the way so early in my career. My aim is to get more drives and get more winners,” Mount Berryman-based Anforth said.
“I want to show people that I can drive. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m living my dream. That’s why I left Faith Lutheran College at end of Year 10, last year,” she added.
Anforth’s first career winner came in wet, murky Redcliffe Paceway conditions last Monday evening (March 11) at her ninth race-day start.
The Mount Berryman teenager, who was only born in October 2007, broke her duck in the sixth race – the Comfort Inn 2-win Pace. She was driving the Tess Neaves owned and trained Foxi Five.
Anforth and the 4-year-old Tintin In America mare started from gate nine in the 1,780m mobile, and were situated three back and two out soon after the start. They remained in second last position before the teenager set Foxi Five alight.
They duo then made a three-wide bid (with cover) at the 400m before sprinting flour-wide at the top of the turn and leaving her six opponents to fight out the minors. Foxi Five won by an increasing 4.3 metres with a 2:03 mile rate. It was Foxi Five’s third win in 18 starts, and first from four attempts this season.
“Big thanks to Tess for the drive. Tess has been wonderful to me. She let me drive her horses at the Marburg jump-outs and now here on race-day. I can’t thank her enough. I will always think of Tess when I look back on my first winning drive. It was the second time I’d driven the horse after finishing fifth on her at Marburg (March 3),” Anforth said.
Meanwhile, Clarendon trainer, Neaves, half-expected Anforth’s win to come sooner, rather than later – simply because of the teen’s hard work, her passion for the sport, and her love of horses.
“I just want to thank Hannah for turning up to the jump-outs on many early Sunday mornings over the last year or so, to drive my team. It’s been a fantastic tool being able to work horses in that environment whilst helping Hanna get to know them – all while she was learning and gaining experience.
“Hannah has been very dedicated, and I really appreciate how willing she is to help in any way she can. She’s doing a fantastic job learning the form and how to read a race, and she is really willing to listen and take advice on board. Plus, she loves the horses, which is a priority for me. They seem to really run for her. She’s got a bright future, with many more winners to come,” Neaves said.
Anforth has now had nine race-day drives for one win and three placings. But talented young horsewoman was always destined to drive a winner in her teens.
The second and youngest daughter of Mount Berryman-based trainer Daniel Anforth and her mother, Joy, Hannah is a fourth-generation harness racing exponent on the Anforth side.
“Hannah was born into harness racing and was her Grandad Campbell’s little helper at the stables before she was old enough to go to school. After her first day of Prep Hannah came home and said that she had had enough of school and wanted to stay home and work the horses with Grandad. From that day she had cemented her plan.” Mrs Anforth said.
Her daughter has already tasted many victories via the mini trotters. A former Interdominion finalist in Melbourne two years ago, the same year she was named Albion Park Driver-of-the-Year.
“That was a thrill to win that award but nothing beats this first win. I am living my dream,’ said Anforth, who is employed by Ben Battle at Mutdapilly.
“Ben and Tamara are great to work for. I really enjoy getting up early and doing my best for them. Both Ben and Dad have taught me so much. Dad is my mentor. I learnt all the basics from him. I couldn’t wait to leave school and work with the horses. Dad is a very hard worker and has always been my inspiration,” Anforth added.
Born in Ipswich and educated at Faith Lutheran College, Anforth is the youngest of two daughters.
Her older sister, Emily (20) is the partner of Purga trainer, Trent Moffat.
She said one of her all-time favourite horses was 7-year-old Bettor’s Delight gelding, Shadys Delight.
“I haven’t driven him on race-day yet, but he’s one horse I love to sit behind. I drove him at the Mullumbimby Show last year, and that was an experience I won’t forget.
“You can’t beat that winning feeling, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported me on this journey. I was just so proud to have won my first race in the team teal pants. I was hoping I could win a race before the ‘Teal Campaign’ ends, because ovarian cancer means a lot to me.
“Every time I put the team pants on, I think about all those women who sadly lost their lives to the horrible disease,” Anforth said.
Footnote: Anforth had her 10th and 11th career drives at Redcliffe Paceway last night (Wednesday March 13) in her father’s yellow, green, and brown silks. She finished fifth and third behind trained Convair Hustler and Trustfull in races five and nine respectively.
For the record: Mount Berryman is a rural locality in the Lockyer Valley Region, 101km west-south- west of Brisbane. In 2021 it had a population of 96.
