By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
North MacLean Grade 10 student, Layne Dwyer, has become one of the youngest drivers in the history of Harness Racing Australia to rein a winner.
The ATAC Trade School pupil notched up his first career win in race one at Redcliffe Paceway last Monday night (April 24) behind a special old horse named Little Change (1:55.9).
To add spice to the 2.4 metre victory, the 10-year-old Changeover gelding is trained by his father and mentor, Graham, at North Maclean.
That maiden victory comes after Dwyer won last year’s Mini Trot Interdominion Final and Miracle Mile victories – both in Sydney.
According to Brett Rail – Harness Manager Operations – for Racing Queensland, Dwyer, drivers have to be 16 years of age to rein a horse on race-day.
He said Dwyer broke through for his first win was 13 days after turning 16. Fellow Queenslander Angus Garrard drove his first winner 12 days after his 16th birthday.
Rail said he ‘spot checked’ eight other Australian teenage drivers and Garrard then Dwyer were the two youngest that he had come across.
He said Garrard beat Dwyer by one day, but Dwyer won his first race at start 12, whereas Garrard won on start 13 behind Kylie Bromac at Albion Park on June 21, 2009. Garrard’s Dad, Daren, did the training.
But young Dwyer didn’t really care too much for records or statistics. He was just proud as punch to drive his first winner behind a horse trained by his father.
“I’m finally doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing. It was so special to do it in Dad’s red colours. I remember when Angus got his first winner, and now to think I’m driving against him on race-day is something I always thought would happen. I can’t believe it’s finally here.
“Angus was a little bit older than me when we did the Mini Trots, but I saw what he achieved after the Minis, and now I want to win lots of races as well. Yes, you could say Angus is a bit of an inspiration to me, but if it wasn’t for my parents none of this would have happened,” Dwyer said.
“My first win, in fact all my winners are a reflection of my parents (Graham and Martine) and the hard work they have put in for me. I’ve been driving fast-work for Dad for a while now, and I’m so happy I can still go to school and drive race-day and race-night.
“Little Change also needs to be thanked. He’s just the coolest little animal. He was the horse that gave me confidence to drive. He and Dad taught me a lot of the tricks of the trade.
“I was hoping like anything that I could get to drive him before he retired. Dad was actually joking it might not happen, To win on him is a dream,” he added.
The talented teenager left Emmaus College in Jimboomba last year, and now attends his Trade School not too far from his home in the Logan region.
“It means I can still do my homework and study harness racing as my trade. It all works in perfect. I love it and will be here until Year 12.
“Long-term I just want to keep working for Dad and driving winners. Who knows one day maybe I’ll train my own team or with Mum and Dad, but for now I’m totally focused on school and learning my trade.
“Dad puts a lot of attention into detail. I never stop learning,” said Dwyer, whose day starts at 5am working horses, before school at 8.30am, and then stable-work ,or racing after 3pm.
Dwyer obviously has good ears as well as good hands. He drove Little Change perfectly for his Dad on Monday.
Dwyer drew one with the veteran pacer, and then trailed throughout, before pouncing on the turn and scampering away to win easily by 2.4 metres.
It was Little Change’s 23rd win in 235 starts for his owners – A Bonaccorso and B Willis. He’s also placed 54 times and banked $138,100 since making his debut second for Rickie Alchin at Penrith back in October 2015.
Dwyer has been around horses virtually since day one. He was the only Queenslander to represent the State at the 27-strong New Zealand Kidz Kartz Inter Dominion Pony Trot Championship in 2019.
Dwyer was just 12 back then but had already stacked up an impressive Mini Trot CV.
He represented his club in the NSW championship (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) and the Miracle Mile in 2017, 2018 and 2019 – where he finished third.
“When Layne first started driving at the age of five, he was so small he had to climb up onto a modified small gig. He absolutely loves it,” Martine said back then.
Young Dwyer also made an impression on one of Australasia’s best reinsmen.
Back then Dwyer said his favourite driver was Australian Driving champion, Peter McMullen.
“He’s the little fella that originally nick-named me ‘Leader Peter’, and it has stuck with me for a few years now. To be honest I quite like it,” McMullen said.
Dwyer has now had has had 19 drives now for one winner and two placings.
After school on Tuesday (May 2), Dwyer will drive in races eight and nine.
They are Bumper (5) and Tralee Maxie (8) at 5.17pm and 5.50pm respectively. Both geldings are trained by Dwyer’s father.
“Dad has been really kind to me with drives and so have some other trainers and owners. I just want to thank them all and give them confidence in my driving, so they will put me back on.
“This is what I live for and what I’ve always dreamed of doing,” the young fella stressed.
Dwyer is the middle child in a family of three. Cody (23) is a plumber and Darcy (9) also loves Mini Trotters.
Great story and such a great young man , one to watch .