By Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
New Zealand junior driver, Wilson House never met popular Australasian racing administrator, Revell Douglas, but thanks to the late Waiuku horseman, House has now had his first two drives on Australian soil
The 20-year-old Prebbleton (Canterbury) horseman earned the right to come to Australia with a 10th placing in the final heat of the third annual Hygain Revell Douglas Memorial Series at Cromwell on February 25. He also finished second and seventh at Hawera, fifth at Hororata, eighth at Rangiora, and third and 10th at Cromwell.
House’s 44 points were two more than second-placed Monika Ranger (Pukekohe), while Zev Meredith (Cambridge) and Sam Thornley (West Melton) were third equal with 31 points. Thirty-four drivers from both Islands competed in the third annual Series.
It’s the first time a South Islander has won the Revell Douglas Memorial Series after Leah Hibell won it last year, and Alicia Harrison the year of its inception.
House arrived in Queensland last Friday (July 19) and will leave tomorrow (Sunday July 28). As part of the winning package, House gets to stay and work at Peter McMullen and Chantal Turpin’s quality stable at Patrick Estate – 70km west of Brisbane.
“It’ so good to be here. Pete and Chantal have been brilliant. They run a very professional stable here, and it’s so good to work horses in nice weather, rather in frosty cold, freezing conditions with mud everywhere back home. I drove in Kidz Karts races at Tamworth a few years ago, but this is the first time I’ve worked or driven here.
“I’m so grateful to the Pete and Chantal for their time, patience, and the two drives they gave me while I’m here. Their hospitality is great, and they also put a lot of attention to detail with their team. They work horses and then the same day the team is at the races, and then the next days it happens again. There are races here almost every day here. Lots of opportunities.
“It’s not out of the question to come back here and work one day. The weather is a huge incentive after a lifetime of cold and wet winters,” House said.
Meanwhile McMullen said it was a pleasure hosting young horsemen and women from across the Tasman.
“I think the concept to bring the Juniors here came from Mark Purdon, who used to host youngsters and suggested Queensland as an option. Wilson has been a great help and I think he has a bright future ahead. It’s always nice to get a hand at our busy stable, and I’m grateful for what Wilson has done here. I hope he has learnt something. It’s always a pleasure to host the Kiwis,” said McMullen, a former Australian Driving Champion and multiple Group One winning reinsman, who has saluted the judge 3,071 times and banked more than $19 million in purses since 206-2007.
House’s best result came at the mighty Redcliffe Paceway on Wednesday (July 24) when the Chantal Turpin-trained Teddy Turpin finished third in the second race. He also finished 10th behind the Turpin-trained Tairlaw Toll in race eight at Albion Park the day before.
Asked what he thought of ‘The Triangle’, House replied.
“I’d always wondered what it looked like after watching meetings their on TV. I still didn’t get much of a good look though because I was three-pegs the fence most of the way. I enjoyed it thought. I’d like to come back one day. It’s been a real eye-opener. We’ll see how harness racing inn New Zealand develops.”
House said it was an honour to be in Australia representing Revell and his family.
“I’d heard from a lot of people how much of a wonderful person he was. He did a lot for cadets and junior drivers would have liked to have met Revell. It was humbling to have some of Revell’s family in Cromwell for the final heat. I thought I was lucky to win the series to be honest, because I never even won a heat. Second was my best finish, but thankfully I was prepared to travel and compete in each heat,” House said.
Douglas, a former horseman, racing administrator (Pinjarra and Alexandra Park), Hygain rep, and journalist, died at hero at Karioitahi Beach near Waiuku in January 2021. The well-liked 46-year-old drowned trying to save his children from the surf shortly after working his one-win trotter, and now broodmare, Scrappylittlenobody.
Meanwhile House the oldest of three children to successful Canterbury horseman, Michael, and Michelle Wilson. He said George (16) and Eloise (6) had no real interest in racing.
As for Prebbleton-based House Senior, he has trained 804 winners ($7.7m) since 1988.
His son has driven 78 winners ($1.04m) since 2021. He said winning the 2024 Hygain Revell Douglas Series was one if his career highlights.
“It’s right up there with my first winning drive, which was behind (the Michael House-trained) Carrera Lucia at Palmerston North on November 16, 2021. Winning the Westport Cup behind Dad’s 8-uyear-old Mach Three gelding, Johnny Mac last December was pretty special too,” House said.
Footnote: Revell Douglas was an astute horseman, who trained 14 winners and 20 placegetters from 2007 to 2020. The writer was a good friend of Revell through Waiuku, the trots, journalism, and sport. Revell was a truly gifted person whom I will never forget. It was very appropriate he died a hero!
