By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Wagga Wagga horseman, Damon Watson, has had a dream start to his Queensland harness racing career.
The 22-year-old, who was actually born in Meadowbrook in Queensland, but has lived out-of-State most of his life, has recorded a second and a win from his first two Redcliffe Paceway drives – on Wednesday (August 2).
At 7.50pm Watson drove What Now Shannon to a neck second in race six, and then an hour later he got the chocolates in race eight with his old favourite and pocket rocket pacer, Justrollingaround.
“They are both in Gary Gerrard’s name as the caretaker trainer and I’m so grateful to him for that. That first Redcliffe win will always be special.
“Not only because it was my first Queensland victory as well, but this little mare is very special to me. That was my 32nd career win now and she also won my 31st race at my 600th start back home (Riverina Paceway) on June 27,” Logan Village-based Watson said.
He said he had only seen Redcliffe Paceway on TV
“It is an unusual track to drive on and small than Wagga, but I really like it. It makes you really think around each corner.
“I got right in the zone on Wednesday and I wanted to do the family proud. Dad has campaigned up here when I was little and I came up about four weeks ago with four horses,” Watson said.
Justrollingaround and Watson never really looked like losing race eight – the Elders Property Management NR40-43 Pace.
They drew nine, and just bided their time near the rear of the field before Watson unleashed the Roll With Joe mare from the 600m. They simply had too much sprint for their eight opponents, running away to win as they liked by an increasing 7.4 metres.
The 6-year-old bay paced the 1,780m mobile in 2:11.4 (mile rate 1:58.8) with final sectionals of 29.6, 31.1, 29.4, and 29.4.
It was Justrollingaround’s eighth win since making her debut second 90 starts ago in the hands of Watson at Coolman on June 13, 2021.
She has also placed 20 times and banked $71, 219 for Watson, his grandmother Madge, Uncles Paul and Gary, and Cousin Rodney – all Watsons.
Watson started driving in the 20180-2019 season after following his father Chris into harness racing. However, the decision to become a horseman wasn’t quite so clearcut.
Just like fellow reinsman Matt Elkins, who could have made a career in cricket, Watson could have gone a long way in soccer… but for now has opted for harness racing.
“I went to High Schools in my early and mid-teens in New South Wales and Western Australia. My last high school before deciding to work in Dad’s stable was at Darling Range Sports College in Forrestfield (WA).
“It’s a sports academy which provides specialist school-based sporting programs in several sports,” Watson said.
As well as soccer, Watson also excels in the indoor version (Futsal), and has represented Perth and Northern New South Wales.
“I decided when I was 16 or 17 that I wanted to do the horses, even though soccer is still there, and I still do play. I’ve always loved sport and enjoyed winning.
“Winning on Wednesday, and winning my 600th drive are up there with my first winning drive, because they are all memorable. I have no regrets with the decisions I have made,” Watson said.
That first winning drive came behind Nippers Grin at Leeton January 24, 2020.
“That was special because Dad trained him and he was an old horse that I didn’t expect to win behind,” Watson said.
He said his goal was to get more outside drives and give owners and trainers the confidence that he can drive.
“I’d like to get more outside drives for sure, and I’d also like to set a new personal best win-record this season.”
Watson currently has 10 wins from 134 drives in 2023. His best was 12 wins from 153 drives in 2021. All up his career stake earnings sit at $302, 242.
He said his father (who has 70 training and 35 driving wins), was his mentor, and the person he looked up to most in the game. H also paid a tribute to horses like London Lady and Eastbro Tex, who landed him many of his early driving victories.
Watson is the youngest of two sons to Chris and Penny. Their oldest boy, Dylan, works horses in Canberra.
