It could not have been scripted: a longshot winner, a local crowd and a young armor racing driver who breaks through for the first time.
Central Victorian Reinswoman Olivia Jardine finished a milestone of the career when yesterday (July 28) $ 41 outsider Champagnes sent to a surprise victory in her ninth career on Maryborough.
“I’m on Cloud Nine – in the clouds!” Said Jardine.
“It is hard to believe that it also happened and also on my home track. I did most of my trials in Maryborough, and many of my supporting crew were there.”
Jardine’s Triumph came on board the seven -year -old trot Mare Champagnes with a polished version (Bacardi Lindy), trained by Wedderburn Horseman Nick Youngson.
“She had one last start, but when I got on the track, all the other drivers said they hoped that I had had my knowing bix this morning because champagnes can really pull hard!” She laughed.
But if there were nerves behind the scenes, they did not show on the circuit. Jardine took the mare clear from Barrier Four and rose forward before he handed Jessicas Story (Trent Fiscalini), with Racevavouriet beautiful sunrise parked.
“It surprised me a bit because I didn’t really think she had a lot of gate speed,” Jardine said.
“She pulled a little in global warming, but she came off the gate beautifully. Everyone went back and we crossed easily. When I got the place behind the leader, I thought we were a good chance and in the end she did the easy-toy meter is a good margin.”
Jardine said the real magic shared the milestone moment with her local community.
“(Club Stalwart) Les Chapman was the first person to give me a thumb up on the track, and all the people who are inside the job room and the Rotary Club -members were on the yahooing sidelines for me. It was great!” she said.
While the name of the Jardine is well known in Maryborough Harness Racing Circles, Olivia is a relatively late -comer for the sport.
“My grandfather Edward Jardine and his first cousin Hughie were always in the sport, and my aunt Gail was married to Dick Benger, so she was also badly involved. (Trainer) Maree Caldow is her daughter,” Jardine said.
“Dad loved motorcycles more and did not follow his father in racing harness. I went to the pride a few times when I was a child, but I thought it was pretty boring, so I went for the line of things.
“Dad is in the gallops and I really wanted to be a jockey. But I am a only child and dad would only give me permission to do something less dangerous, they thought it is racing harness!”
Jardine is currently studying a diploma in the field of science in the hope of becoming a veterinarian and fits her driving obligations around the university and part -time work at the Dunolly Bakery.
She started helping for the first time with the Gerard Jamieson stable and later joined the Pompapiel trainer John Davidson team, and credited him to get her opportunities.
“John is a great help, ringing around and lets people try me. He is my agent!” she said.
“Today I received the ride on champagnes via John. Nick had originally nominated another driver, but when he stayed with the other horse, John dived into and told Nick that he should try it! I think Nick was pretty rap with how things came out.
“Dad was there to see my victory and he was in the clouds, but Mama was sick at home. They don’t say too much, but I think they are pretty chuffed that I worked pretty hard to achieve that first victory.”
There is no peace for the newly beaten winner, who is back in the Sulky in Bendendo tomorrow night with her “Little Buddy” Clem Mcardle, the horse on which she debuted and has worked several times since then.
“A victory on him would just be the week off for me!” she said.
View the full bendo -fields: https://www.harness.au/racing/2025-07-30/bendendo/n/meeting?includetrials=false
From Terry Gange for Harnesslink
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